A pass that led through the Mountains of Shadow. At the time of the War of the Ring, the road that ran through the pass was the main thoroughfare from Minas Morgul to Barad-dûr. That road seems to have been made by the Men of Gondor long before to help enforce their guard on the Dark Land, but it came under the control of their enemies when Minas Ithil fell to the Nazgûl. Though it ran high through Ephel Dúath, it was not the highest pass in that region of the mountains; another more treacherous route led through the peaks above the Nameless Pass. This high and difficult pass was Cirith Ungol, little used by the Orcs because of the dangers of Shelob who lurked at its crest.
Notes
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The pass had existed since at least the Second Age, and is mentioned in accounts of the War of the Last Alliance at the end of that Age. It would not, however, be known as the 'Nameless Pass' until after Minas Ithil was captured by the Nazgûl, and it is this later period that is shown on the timeline for this entry.
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- Updated 12 April 2026
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