Although much of the filming for Lord of the Rings took place in New Zealand, Spain's El Camino de Anillo, which translates to "The Ring Road," is as close as anyone will get to hiking the imagined world of Middle Earth. J.R.R. Tolkien's world where hobbits thrived away from the prying eyes of humans seems to come to life along this trail, which spans about 75 miles through Spain's Sierra Norte mountains. The reason for this is because it was inspired by the books and their vivid imagery, something LOTR fans will undoubtedly appreciate.
This hiking trail is not the first thru-hike in Spain and the Camino de Santiago is another popular pilgrimage. While El Camino de Anillo doesn't take nearly as long to complete, it will give somewhat of a Lord of the Rings-inspired pilgrimage for fans of both the books and the movies. For those who aren't avid Tolkien fans, this trail is simply a new, beautiful way to experience Central Spain on a trail that hasn't been trekked before.
For those seeking to hike this trail, the closest city is Madrid, which lies about an hour from the trailhead. The path takes hikers to places such as El Molar, where the trail starts, to Horcajuelo de la Sierra and Torrelaguna, both stops believed to resemble actual places from the book series. Rivendell, the "White Tree of Gondor," Moria, Hobbiton, and even the Shire are thought to be in-book destinations that come to life along the trail of this hike.
The Creation Of The Trail
The trail is welcoming all hikers of all skill levels, although there are some mountain passes that should be considered. The trail was created by the Laudato Si Foundation, nature conservation that works with the Archbishop of Madrid, according to Lonely Planet. The project undertaking was done to provide an alternative to the Camino de Santiago, a religious pilgrimage that sees many hikers annually. While hikers can choose to make their journey a pilgrimage, it's not a requirement for LOTR fans to simply enjoy their Middle Earth-inspired hike.
The hike was also created in an attempt to renew tourism in a place that saw so little of it and attract visitors from all over the world. The hiking trail was five years in the making before its eventual opening, with a respectable amount of work going into its stunning vistas and trailheads.
Prior to starting their hike, it's encouraged that those taking part contact the El Camino del Anillo Foundation in order to secure spots at lodgings along the way, because some of them are owned by the church. There are other options being offered for this trail as well, including guided tours, canoe routes, Tolkien talks, and stargazing, and pricing can be inquired about via the Foundation.
The Way Of The Ring
Appropriately called "the Tolkien Pilgrimage," El Camino del Anillo says of the journey, "We propose the journey of the ring because we want to help you plant a small seed that makes you aware that we are like hobbits, that we are living a great adventure. We propose a unique trip in your life, in which you may not kill this dragon that is destroying the fairyland, but yes - and this is the most important thing - you can start destroying [the] part of the dragon that is eating your own soul."
On the trail's website, hikers can find a Lord of the Rings-themed map as well as information about taking the hike. In an effort to provide a "sense of wonder, beauty, and care," El Camino del Anillo takes hikers through expansive valleys, green fields, and mountain paths to evoke a true sense of being one with Middle Earth.
The secondary aspect of this journey isn't just for the vistas - it's for the mental well-being of the hikers who choose to take the Tolkien Pilgrimage. While the site specifies that it's for both "believers and non-believers," it's the hope of El Camino del Anillo that hikers will feel a sense of peace and unity within themselves, able to break away from their own demons and overcome whatever they might be battling by the end of their trek. To do so in a Tolkien-inspired way is to incorporate the same magic that made the books so relatable, into the real lives of humans.
El Camino del Anillo also says of the trek, "To walk along old paths and forests, and to row through forgotten channels, and in the midst of so much beauty, to free yourself from the Ring, that although you do not know it you possess as a treasure, and that with its power blinds us, proposing to fill life only with easy comfort, leaving no room for others."