The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Probably known as the Stair Falls from the time of Eregion (II 750 - II 1697)1
Location
Leading down a low cliff westward from the West-gate of Moria
Races
The stair that gave its name to the falls was used by Dwarves and Elves
Divisions
The Dwarves were primarily of the Longbeard clan (Durin's Folk), while the Elves derived mainly from the Noldor
Cultures
Settlements
Ran beside the road leading from Khazad-dûm to Ost-in-Edhil
Source
The Sirannon or Gate-stream emerged from the cliffs and ran a short distance westward before forming the Stair Falls
Outflow
The Sirannon ran on alongside the road to old Eregion2
Meaning
These falls flowed over a small cliff, and took their name from the stair carved into the cliff beside them

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About this entry:

  • Updated 23 November 2023
  • Updates planned: 1

Stair Falls

The falls of the Sirannon

Map of the Stair Falls

The falls beneath the West-gate of Khazad-dûm, where the Gate-stream of the Sirannon made a waterfall some thirty feet in height before flowing out across the grasslands of Eregion. The falls took their name from the stair carved beside them in the rock of the cliff.


Notes

1

These falls themselves would have existed from time immemorial, but they would only have been known as the 'Stair Falls' after the stone steps were made to climb up the cliff beside them. We have no way of knowing when this might have been, but the stairs seem most likely to have been made during the time of friendship between Khazad-dûm and Eregion (the stairs lay on the route between the two places). This would date them from some time in the middle years of the Second Age, probably relatively soon after Eregion's founding in II 750. It is important to note, however, that Khazad-dûm had existed since long before the Elves settled in Eregion, and so the stairs might in principle have dated back much further into history, perhaps even into the First Age.

2

The stream that flowed over the Stair Falls, the Sirannon, then flowed on along the old ruined road that led toward Eregion during the Second Age. We are not told its ultimate destination, but given the geography of the surrounding region, it almost certainly formed a tributary of the river Glanduin, whose own sources were in the Misty Mountains some thirty miles to the south.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 23 November 2023
  • Updates planned: 1

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