The road that ran northwards from the Cross-roads above Osgiliath, skirting the foothills of Ephel Dúath and running the length of North Ithilien. At its northern end, it turned right, and ran northeastwards for some forty miles until it reached the Black Gate of Mordor.
In the year III 1944, the North Road was the scene of a battle between the Gondorians and the Wainriders. King Ondoher had already been killed in the fighting, but his captain Minohtar fought a rearguard action on the Road, just past the point where it turned northeastwards. Minohtar was killed and his army was defeated, but they earned enough time for Gondor's remaining forces to regroup and recover. Shortly afterwards, at the Battle of the Camp, Eärnil was able to surprise the Wainriders and utterly defeat them.
Notes
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This road was known to have been made during the early days of Gondor, but dating its construction more precisely than this is problematic. Minas Ithil and its road to Osgiliath certainly existed before the War of the Last Alliance, but whether a North Road would have run from the Cross-roads to the Black Gate at this time is unclear. Such a road would have been useful during the War for the transport of troops, and valuable afterward to help maintain of the watch over conquered Mordor. Thus its dating seems likely to have been associated with the War of the Last Alliance, but it might in principle have predated or postdated that War by some time.
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- Updated 13 November 2025
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