20 travel destinations inspired by Lord of the Rings

Putangirua Pinnacles – Aorangi Forest Park, New Zealand

The Putangirua Pinnacles, located in Aorangi Forest Park, are a gorgeous formation of rocks, which are mostly the result of 120,000 years of erosion. While much of the rock washed away over the years, some of it congealed together to form what look like peaks or towers made from stone.

The odd and beautiful formations are worth checking out just for their ethereal appearance. But the Putangirua Pinnacles were also featured in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. More specifically, the formations and surrounding area were used to film the Paths of the Dead scenes during The Return of the King. 

The Paths of the Dead is a haunted pass that is populated by the victim’s of Isildur’s curse. Because the people there refused to aid him, Isildur ensured that they’d remain as ghosts until the curse was lifted. As Isildur’s heir, Aragorn is the only one who is able to free the beings there.

Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli travel the Paths of the Dead in order to summon the army of ghosts and demand their aid once more. In return for their assistance in the fight against Sauron, Aragorn promises to free them from the curse, allowing the dead to move on from their current states.

Once fans have visited the real-life Paths of the Dead, they can also check out the rest of Aorangi Forest Park. There are a number of other hiking trails, as well as camping locations for visitors looking to spend a night or two. Martinborough, known as the “Wine Village,” is also a short distance from the park, so fans can enjoy some vintage after their camping or hiking trips.