Rathon Gondor

The Rathon Gondor (S. "Great Gondor Road") was the principal highway through much of central Gondor, running all the way from Anórien in the east to the Nan Erech and Annúlond in the north and far west. The Rathon Gondor was the longest paved road south of the White Mountains (excepting the Hyarmentië, of which only a small part passed through southern Gondor). Beginning at Minas Tirith, the road ran southwest through the heart of Lebennin to Pelargir, and thence westward to Linhir, where it intersected the Rathon Arat. From Linhir, the Rathon Gondor moved along the eastern coast of Belfalas, where it became the Men Ernil, crossing the Ered Tarthonion by the Cirith Dudhrandir, and finding its terminus at Dol Amroth. After this point, it continued northward again as the Rathon Gondor until it reached Glanhir at the confluence of the Morthond and Ringló rivers. Crossing both of these rivers at Glanhir, the road divided into two branches, one following the coast of Anfalas to the mouth of the Lefnui, the other striking north and west, following the western bank of the Morthond all the way to Morthondost in Nan Erech. In actuality, much of the distance covered by the Rathon Gondor had already possessed a dirt grade road for many years. This collection of earlier roads had been constructed at various dates by the federated colonies of the Faithful, during the initial settlement of the coasts in the Second Age. These were unified and transformed into the Rathon Gondor during the reign of Siriondil I, an immense labor which took thirty-seven years to complete. Given its importance as a unifying force to the realm, the Rathon Gondor was the only road in central Gondor whose entire length was appointed with royal courier stations.