20 travel destinations inspired by Lord of the Rings

Skippers Canyon – Otago, New Zealand

Skippers Canyon is another gorge that makes an appearance during The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Located north of Queenstown and accessible from Skippers Road, deemed one of the most scenic roads in New Zealand, the gorge is a must-stop destination for fans exploring the various film locations from the trilogy.

The Lord of the Rings fans will recognize Skippers Canyon from The Fellowship of the Ring, as it’s where Arwen leads the Ringwraiths when they pursue her and Frodo. They stop just before the gorge, apparently afraid to enter the water, when Arwen tells them, “If you want him, come and claim him.” It’s an epic moment, and arguably one of her best in the film series.

When the Ringwraiths finally do attempt to claim him, Arwen uses her magic to call upon the river. The water transforms into horses that run down the creatures, allowing Arwen and Frodo to escape safely into Rivendell. Of course, Frodo almost doesn’t make it there, and Arwen must grant him some of the immortality she’s been given to get him into Rivendell alive.

Unfortunately, fans probably won’t be able to witness anything quite as cool as Arwen’s water horses while visiting Skippers Canyon. However, the view itself is totally worth the trip. There are also plenty of prime hiking locations surrounding the canyon, and there are even biking trails nearby. Visitors looking for a bit more adventure can also take a jet tour down Skippers Canyon, offering a much different view than that of the on-foot scenic route.