Ephel Dúath (Mountains of Shadow)
Location information
Location	Mordor
Behind the scenes
First appearance	The Return of the King (novel)
Latest appearance	The Return of the King (film)

The Ephel Dúath or "the Outer Fence" (Sindarin: Mountains of Shadow) are a range of mountains that make up Mordor’s western and southern borders.

They meet the Ered Lithui (Ash Mountains) at the Morannon (Black Gate), so that between them the mountain ranges effectively seal off Mordor from invasion on three sides. They house Morgul Vale, where the city of Minas Ithil resides. The Pass of Cirith Ungol leads through the Ephel Dúath from the Stairs of Cirith Ungol behind Minas Morgul to the Tower of Cirith Ungol, which is on the eastern side of the mountain chain, and is guarded by both Minas Ithil and Cirith Ungol, and is home to the giant spider Shelob, daughter of Ungoliant . In its northern reaches, lies the castle of Durthang, above Udûn. Its southern half is penetrated by the river Poros, which is fed by the Sea of Núrnen just south of Durthang and to the east are the Morgai.

To the far south-east of Mordor is the Ered Glamhoth, the tail of mountains that curves northwards off of the Ephel Duath.

Etymology Edit

Their Sindarin name means literally 'Outer fences of dark Shadow'.

References Edit

• The Atlas of Middle-earth pgs. 92-3
• The Return of the King, "The Land of Shadow"

External link Edit

• Ephel Dúath at Tolkien Gateway