https://www.bestseenonfoot.com Travel Blog Fri, 05 Dec 2025 21:29:45 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Feed for Node.js https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/assets/logo.jpg https://www.bestseenonfoot.com All rights reserved 2025, Best Seen On Foot https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown Sun, 14 Jun 2020 17:00:00 GMT ). This location is where the Fellowship exits the Mines of Moria after Gandalf falls to the shadows. Dimrill Dale can be found just outside of Queenstown along the [Lake Alta Track](https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/remarkables-conservation-area/things-to-do/lake-alta-track/). The short hike starts at The Remarkables ski area, and winds through alpine wetlands to Lake Alta. The trail wasn't very maintained, but we enjoyed hopping from rock to rock on our way up the mountain. There were a few signs along the trail with information about the Alpine landscape near the lake, and tons of wildflowers along the trail. [](/assets/blog/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown/IMG_20190218_132239.jpg) The scenery at Lake Alta was gorgeous. We took some pictures and tried to relax and enjoy the view while eating snacks. However, it was very windy and cold so we didn't hang out for too long. [](/assets/blog/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown/IMG_20190218_132242.jpg) On our drive back to Queenstown, we stopped to take bird's eye view pictures of the town. Queenstown looked so small nestled between the surrounding mountains! [](/assets/blog/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown/IMG_20190218_145045.jpg) [The Remarkables and Lake Alta](https://www.youtube.com/embed/x8Z_QfEHhGU) ## Ithilien Camp Only a 15 minutes drive from downtown Queenstown, we found the [Ithilien Camp]() filming location. This is where Frodo, Sam and Gollum watch the battle between Faramir's Rangers of Gondor and the men/Oliphaunts of Harad. The Ithilien Camp is along the [Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove Track](https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/queenstown-area/things-to-do/twelve-mile-delta-to-bobs-cove-track/), which is a great little hike even if you aren't interested in Lord of the Rings. We got a little turned around finding the start of the trail, but soon we were on our way! The GoogleMaps location for the camp was a little off, but after looking around we found the right spot. This was one of the most obvious filming locations we found. It looked just like the movie! We crouched down and pretended to see some Oliphaunts before continuing our hike. [](/assets/blog/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown/IMG_20190219_114021.jpg) The trail was fairly easy, and the walk through the “New Zealand bush” was peaceful. The end of the trail was uphill to a viewing area where you could see both Bob's Cove and the lake. We ate our lunch and enjoyed the view before heading back to our car. [](/assets/blog/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown/IMG_20190219_130832.jpg) [](/assets/blog/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown/IMG_20190219_131209.jpg) [Bob's Cove and Ithilien Camp](https://www.youtube.com/embed/uaLCEB_MbKc) ## Isengard The filming location of [Isengard](https://www.google.com/maps/place/44%C2%B040'25.0%22S+168%C2%B020'27.4%22E/@-44.7155717,168.2320862,25338m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d-44.6736111!4d168.3409444?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) is located about an hour northwest of Queenstown, and was not the easiest place to get. It was a very scenic drive but we made a few wrong turns along the way. On our drive, we drove past a lake called Diamond Lake just south of Paradise Valley. The area north of the lake was used as the filming location for [Beorn's House](https://www.google.com/maps/place/44%C2%B043'54.5%22S+168%C2%B022'54.9%22E/@-44.7318056,168.3819167,792m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d-44.7318056!4d168.3819167?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Gerrod and I snapped some pictures near the lake and at a sign marking Paradise Valley. The valley was stunning, with lush green grass surrounded by snow capped mountains. The valley was used for several locations in The Hobbit movies. [](/assets/blog/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown/IMG_20190220_114725.jpg) [](/assets/blog/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown/IMG_20190220_115849.jpg) [](/assets/blog/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown/IMG_20190220_115900.jpg) As we continued our drive past Diamond Lake, we ran into a few small stream crossings. We made it across a few, but as we got closer to the filming location we ran into a very deep crossing. We pulled off to the side of the road, and got out to assess if we could make the crossing. As we were checking it out, we saw a few vehicles make it across. We were tempted to go for it, but then noticed some car bumper wreckage in the creek. We were only ~2.5 km from the location, so we decided to just leave our car and walk. There weren't many cars on the road, so the walk was quite enjoyable. When we got to Isengard, we snapped some pictures and envisioned Gandalf riding to Saruman for council. The trees in the valley were so interesting and made such a serene setting. I'm sure glad the Uruk-hai didn't actually destroy the forest! [](/assets/blog/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown/IMG_20190220_130809.jpg) [](/assets/blog/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown/IMG_20190220_131128.jpg) [Glenorchy and Paradise Valley](https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tf5N7-KGUbs) ## The Argonath on the Anduin River While driving around Queenstown, we made a quick stop at [The Argonath on the Anduin River](https://www.google.com/maps/place/45%C2%B000'42.7%22S+168%C2%B053'34.0%22E/@-45.0112442,168.8927371,788m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d-45.0118611!4d168.8927778?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). This location is also called the Gates of Argonath or The Pillars of Kings which is from the Fellowship of the Ring movie. The river was right off of the road, and had very steep cliffs. If only the king statues were real!! We also decided to stop at the Chard Farm Vineyard nearby for a wine tasting. Beautiful views and wine are a great combination. [](/assets/blog/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown/IMG_20190221_110521.jpg) [](/assets/blog/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown/IMG_20190221_110524.jpg) [](/assets/blog/lord-of-the-rings-around-queenstown/IMG_20190221_110609.jpg) [Kawarau Gorge (Anduin River)](https://www.youtube.com/embed/wjPbfOQBDdo) Until next time! Lauren (and Gerrod) ]]> bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/exploring-milford-sound https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/exploring-milford-sound Sat, 30 May 2020 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/central-otago-wineries https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/central-otago-wineries Thu, 28 May 2020 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/wanaka-hikes-and-a-cool-tree https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/wanaka-hikes-and-a-cool-tree Tue, 26 May 2020 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/exploring-fox-glacier-and-franz-josef-glacier https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/exploring-fox-glacier-and-franz-josef-glacier Mon, 19 Aug 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/paparoa-national-park-and-cape-foulwind https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/paparoa-national-park-and-cape-foulwind Thu, 01 Aug 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/new-zealand-north-island-to-south-island https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/new-zealand-north-island-to-south-island Mon, 03 Jun 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/exploring-wellington-new-zealand https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/exploring-wellington-new-zealand Mon, 27 May 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/visiting-the-dimholt-road-and-rivendell-lord-of-the-rings-film-locations-near-wellington-and-seals https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/visiting-the-dimholt-road-and-rivendell-lord-of-the-rings-film-locations-near-wellington-and-seals Sat, 25 May 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/wine-and-good-company-in-hawkes-bay https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/wine-and-good-company-in-hawkes-bay Sun, 31 Mar 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/exploring-tongariro-national-park https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/exploring-tongariro-national-park Fri, 29 Mar 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/hiking-the-tongariro-alpine-crossing https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/hiking-the-tongariro-alpine-crossing Tue, 26 Mar 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/hobbiton-an-unexpected-adventure https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/hobbiton-an-unexpected-adventure Sun, 24 Mar 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/piopio-filming-location-and-caving-in-waitomo-caves https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/piopio-filming-location-and-caving-in-waitomo-caves Fri, 22 Mar 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/rotorua-part-2-wai-o-tapu-ogo-and-tamaki-village https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/rotorua-part-2-wai-o-tapu-ogo-and-tamaki-village Mon, 18 Mar 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/rotorua-part-1-exploring-downtown-redwoods-and-kerosene-creek https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/rotorua-part-1-exploring-downtown-redwoods-and-kerosene-creek Sat, 16 Mar 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/coromandel-peninsula-part-2-cathedral-cove-and-the-gemstone-bay-snorkel-track https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/coromandel-peninsula-part-2-cathedral-cove-and-the-gemstone-bay-snorkel-track Thu, 14 Mar 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/coromandel-peninsula-part-1-hot-water-beach-and-pinnacles-walk https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/coromandel-peninsula-part-1-hot-water-beach-and-pinnacles-walk Fri, 08 Mar 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/aucklands-west-coast https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/aucklands-west-coast Wed, 06 Mar 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/scuba-diving-in-moorea https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/scuba-diving-in-moorea Mon, 04 Mar 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/moorea-french-polynesia-a-budget-edition-part-2 https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/moorea-french-polynesia-a-budget-edition-part-2 Sun, 03 Mar 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/moorea-french-polynesia-a-budget-edition-part-1 https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/moorea-french-polynesia-a-budget-edition-part-1 Sat, 02 Mar 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/rough-start-to-part-2-of-our-round-the-world-trip https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/rough-start-to-part-2-of-our-round-the-world-trip Tue, 26 Feb 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/buenos-aires https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/buenos-aires Mon, 25 Feb 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Gerrod Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/the-very-beautiful-iguazu-falls https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/the-very-beautiful-iguazu-falls Tue, 19 Feb 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/diy-mendoza-winery-tour https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/diy-mendoza-winery-tour Mon, 11 Feb 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/mendoza-exploring-the-city https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/mendoza-exploring-the-city Sat, 09 Feb 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Gerrod Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/perito-moreno-glacier-and-el-calafate https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/perito-moreno-glacier-and-el-calafate Wed, 30 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/hiking-fitz-roy-from-el-chalten https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/hiking-fitz-roy-from-el-chalten Thu, 24 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/el-chalten-hiking-and-other-stuff-too https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/el-chalten-hiking-and-other-stuff-too Tue, 22 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Gerrod Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/buses-ii-busing-to-argentina-from-chile https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/buses-ii-busing-to-argentina-from-chile Wed, 16 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Gerrod Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/puerto-montt-and-the-los-lagos-region-of-chile-part-2-parque-nacional-puyehue-and-another-failed-park-visit https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/puerto-montt-and-the-los-lagos-region-of-chile-part-2-parque-nacional-puyehue-and-another-failed-park-visit Mon, 14 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/12-hours-in-santiago https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/12-hours-in-santiago Sun, 13 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Gerrod Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/puerto-montt-and-the-los-lagos-region-of-chile-part-1-arriving-in-puerto-montt-and-petrohue https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/puerto-montt-and-the-los-lagos-region-of-chile-part-1-arriving-in-puerto-montt-and-petrohue Sun, 13 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/long-but-reliable-buses-of-chile https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/long-but-reliable-buses-of-chile Fri, 11 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Gerrod Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/san-pedro-de-atacama-part-2-valle-de-la-luna-and-stargazing https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/san-pedro-de-atacama-part-2-valle-de-la-luna-and-stargazing Tue, 11 Dec 2018 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/san-pedro-de-atacama-part-1-piedras-rojas-salar-de-atacama-and-the-lagunas https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/san-pedro-de-atacama-part-1-piedras-rojas-salar-de-atacama-and-the-lagunas Mon, 10 Dec 2018 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/sippin-on-terere-with-the-fam-in-paraguay https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/sippin-on-terere-with-the-fam-in-paraguay Sun, 09 Dec 2018 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Gerrod Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/attempting-to-leave-peru-a-story-of-avianca-airlines https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/attempting-to-leave-peru-a-story-of-avianca-airlines Wed, 05 Dec 2018 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Gerrod Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/our-amazon-rainforest-trip https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/our-amazon-rainforest-trip Mon, 03 Dec 2018 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/cusco https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/cusco Mon, 26 Nov 2018 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/machu-picchu-and-the-end-of-the-trek https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/machu-picchu-and-the-end-of-the-trek Sun, 04 Nov 2018 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/salkantay-trek-with-salkantay-trekking https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/salkantay-trek-with-salkantay-trekking Sat, 03 Nov 2018 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/final-days-in-ecuador https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/final-days-in-ecuador Thu, 01 Nov 2018 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/galapagos-part-2-the-main-island https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/galapagos-part-2-the-main-island Fri, 26 Oct 2018 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/galapagos-part-1-the-cruise https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/galapagos-part-1-the-cruise Tue, 23 Oct 2018 17:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger) https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/ecuador-quito-and-cotopaxi https://www.bestseenonfoot.com/posts/ecuador-quito-and-cotopaxi Thu, 11 Oct 2018 12:00:00 GMT bestseenonfoot@gmail.com (Lauren Schirtzinger)