LOTRO Zones by Level (1-150) & Adventure Builder (to L100)

From Level 1 at Archet, there are quests in that area, Combe Lumber Yard and Combe itself. These can take you out East into the Chetwood, as well as visiting some villages of the Bree-land Hobbits.

The land of the Hobbits and protected by the Bounders, the Shire is full of quests and deeds. For an alternative levelling experience, you could also pick up the Bingo Boffin storyline from his house in Michel Delving.

Dwarves start in the frozen peaks of the Blue Mountains that give this region its name, while Elves begin their LOTRO journeys in Celondim in the Spring-like South. Taking quests from either end and heading towards Kheledûl will help you with the early levels.

The beautiful LOTRO zone of Swanfleet is full of history, rugged peaks and Stoor Hobbits. Just don’t mention the Uruks that threaten their peaceful way of life – you may not be believed.

Swanfleet is part of Before the Shadow, the regions of which are now free to all players.

Whether you wish to or not, the Epic will bring you into the northern part of the Old Forest. This is a key location in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Meet Tom Bombadil, Goldberry and…Old Man Willow. Just don’t let him sing you to sleep. Quests are at Adso’s Camp.

I see dead people. So will you once you enter the Barrow-downs, where evil spirits animate the bones of those entombed in the Barrows. If you’re looking to level, then clear Wight-slayer, Barghest-slayer and the Barrow-down exploration deed.

I think the more deadly portion of the Old Forest is largely optional, except for clearing The Old Forest Deed and Flowers of the Old Forest. It also leads to/from the Southern Barrow-downs. There are plenty of Huorns, destructive roots and spiders to make your trip here… eventful.

Nen Harn, tucked away in the North-East of Bree-land is under-visited and under-appreciated. It has a beautiful lake, an island with no enemies on it and has some repeatable quests from the nearby Hunters.

Generally, the level of the Wights and Barghests here is higher than in the Northern Barrows. But you’ll probably find Barrow-Wardens easier to clear in the Southern Barrows. You will have to stray here if you want to clear the Bree-land Exploration deeds.

In case the LOTRO zones of the Shire, East Bree-land, Enedwaith and Swanfleet did not give you enough Hobbits, then head to Yondershire. More rugged than the Shire itself, it features ruins of Elves and Men. Inhabited – but not by Elves or Men (obviously).

🔒 Requires: VIP status, or a Purchase of Yondershire in the LOTRO Store.

The dry lands of the Lone-lands follow from quests in Bree-land. As well as normal quests and deeds, there are multiple repeatable quests at the Forsaken Inn if you’re looking for an extra XP boost.

Note: Part of Before the Shadow Expansion, which was made free for all players in 2024.

The follow-on region to Swanfleet, Cardolan is steeped in tons of wonderful, rich Lord of the Rings lore. As well as the Epic, there are a couple of other long-form quest lines to get your teeth into.

North of Trestlebridge is where most people will start adventures in the North Downs. The shadow of Fornost hangs over much of the earlier portion of this zone. But where there is darkness…there is deeper darkness.

The hideaway camp-come-fortress of Esteldín stands at the centre of the North Downs. From there you can find quests against Angmarim and enemy Jorthkin. Just don’t approach Dol Dinen until you’re nearly level 30 and/or take friends with you.

I will say I have precisely zero experience of the Fornost instances. However, the solo quests outside of its gate (and inside its courtyard) are fun to do. They are Level 26 and the minimum level of the instances are L25 or L30, depending.

See the Treasure Hunters’ Camp (8.0S, 56.0W) for quests.

In case you thought the Barrow-downs was the worst that wights could get, welcome to Harloeg, a ruin in a swamp. You can aid a man with his research and a friendly spirit (no, really) in uncovering its truths. Just don’t eat the Sicklefly Pudding. I’m not joking about that either.

I don’t know how best to describe a flooded wasteland whose water may be red because of blood, or may not be red for that reason. A dark and twisted area of wights, spirits and huorns. It’s good hunting for the Bog-lurker Slayer, though.

This is challenging and fun to do on-level solo only if you have a companion (Lore-master Pet, Captain herald etc), or have a healing Skirmish Soldier. Otherwise come back with a friend or two. Quests are all L30s, leveling somewhere up to L35 if you completed all the quests is reasonable. I think!

The stronghold of the Créoth, who serve the being known as the Red Maid, Naruhel. Yes, the same name as belongs to the Naruhel’s Vine Dress. Don’t you feel so much better about your fashion choices now?

In a region cornered by Agamaur to the West and Haragmar to the South, Garth Agarwen is not a fortress of light, let’s say.

More Hobbits! And to roughly quote an NPC, “they’ll put you to work if you’re not careful”. Get ready for the Oatbarton Farmer’s Market with largely combat-free quests, before heading to the Glass-blowers’ camp. You’re at the start of the first region of LOTRO I fell in love with.

Evendim is another region where there is plenty of history, especially in relation to the Dúnedain. Take your time to read the quest text. The Epic brings you to Evendim on several occasions, and I love it here. See the various NPCs in Tinnudir and Ost Forod for landscape quests.

Giantkind and Gauradain are your main foes here, though a certain Ent needs help with calming the actions of Wood Trolls. Be glad for the boat travel too, apparently this LOTRO zone was nicknamed “Everswim” before boats were introduced!

While the Trollshaws are not so-called without reason, they’re not the majority of this region! The autumnal forests eventually climb towards the refuge of Rivendell. Plenty of Elves have their tasks and stories, so take your time as you quest through the area.

Annúminas, the City of the Kings is in a never-ending battle between the Dúnedain and the Angmarim. Reclaim fortified positions, with quests from Level 39, if you’re roughly on-level there’s good XP to be had.

🔒 Requires: Angle of Mitheithel Unlock

The Angle is one of the newer LOTRO zones to be added to the earlier levels. It a beautiful extension to your Trollshaws experience, and I’m overdue another visit there. Teeming with wildlife, Elves and (wo)men work together to understand why the enemy is taking an interest in the Angle’s ruins.

North of idyllic Rivendell are the snowy peaks of the aptly-named Misty Mountains. The Epic’s involvement here is pretty short, really, but you’ll find quests at Gloín’s Camps (both of them), north of Giants’ Table and…Goblin Town.

The western portion of Angmar is not too bad, actually. You get to know some friendly Jorthkin and meet some non-enemy inhabitants of the region. Just make sure you pass the Epic in this part of Angmar to get safe passage to the Eastern part.

I’ve heard some unkind things said about Forochel, but I absolutely love it here and it’s still one of my favourite LOTRO zones. The scenery is magnificent and I enjoy the fact that no one trusts or likes you when you first arrive. Work with the Lossoth from Outsider status and, well, enjoy!

The Wildwood of Bree-land is an optional side-quest area that you need to unlock. Deceptively simple in its concept, can you work to unite two reputation factions with very different ideas on how the woods should be used?

🔒 Requires: The Wildwood of Bree-land Unlock

Includes Dailies and Missions.

This is where your quest to acquire your first Legendary Items begins. If you’re looking for an alternative levelling experience, then do all the side-quests in the Walls of Moria. There are more than you think.

The side-quests here are no longer available once the Epic sees the Dwarves enter Moria.

It’s dark, it’s evil and filled with dead, dying or warped creatures. But it is here that hope is most needed, and the Epic questline here is…emotive.

Known for its Ring-lore, it is Eregion where the Elves were deceived and eventually destroyed by the Enemy. There are plenty of ruins, including an ancient library. This LOTRO region may not look like much, until you scratch past the surface.

I have done quests here, but a very, very long time ago. I’m not referring to the patch “Return to Carn Dûm”, either. Of course, one does not simply walk into Carn Dûm – it is protected.

The Gate here takes one third from your health in fear debuff. Many enemies beyond the gate are signature strength. You may need a friend, or a few levels for this area.

One screenshot cannot capture how epic the Mines of Moria are. From crystals and Dwarf-statues, to the depths of the Waterworks and the evil stenches of the Nameless in its darkest corners, each area offers you something different.

You could mix up your travels with the skirmishes in Moria, assuming you have completed the Epics to unlock them, of course.

Ease into your Moria experience with some fairly laid-back quests in and around the entrance to the Mines.

Help with bedbugs, forge some swords and help get the Dwarves settled in.

Durin’s Way holds quite a large number of quests, and you can find many of these at the Chambre of the Crossroads.

It also has a handy short-cut to the Waterworks for you!

A long, downward spiralling track awaits at the Silvertine Lodes in Moria. While inhabited by Orcs and goblins, you can also enjoy the beautiful crystal formations here.

The main quests here are based – or are vectors from – Deep Descent. You can find a task board there too.

But don’t drop too far too quickly. The Dwarves did that before the whole Balrog Incident™.

It’s time to taste triangles and smell the colour magenta! Well, the “Shiny, Happy World” is definitely in your head, because the the only shiny things in the Waterworks are glass spiders. Yay.

But the scale of this LOTRO zone (which it may as well be) is immense. Take time to look up even while you’re swimming with the critters.

Your quests are found at the delightfully-named camp of The Rotting Cellar. Not all Dwarves are right next to each other though, so potter around a bit.

The Waterworks highlights the scale the Dwarves dug down…Zelem-melek shows the grandeur they built up in the spaces they dug.

It’s also the central hub and main access points to the rest of Moria. There are soloable side-quests in the Twenty-First Hall, but some NPCs also have the Fellowship ones too. It may be helpful to scout round all the questgivers first if you want to clear the solo ones efficiently.

The Redhorn Lodes basically looks like a mining village. There are tracks and carts, but also dwelling-places. But the presence of Orcs serves to remind the Dwarves of who actually controls this area now.

You can find quests here at the rather aptly-named Orc-Watch camp.

It’s also connected to other key zones like the Foundations of Stone and the Flaming Deeps.

Take the Elven equivalent of a “chill pill” and take your time to wander and quest under the trees of the Golden Wood.

There are Lothlórien quests in and out of Caras Galadhon and plenty of deeds to help with the Galadhrim reputation.

Just be careful not to defeat any creatures marked as Protected. These decrease your reputation standing.

The forges of the Flaming Deeps burn red hot, stoked by the ever-present Fire Grims and ruled by a vicious and somehow-hardy clan of Orcs. This area seems at once suffocating due to the smoke, yet cavernous due to its size.

There are tons of quests starting at Level 57, so reaching Level 58 and above here appears feasible.

The Second Hall of Nud-melek is one of my favourite places in the whole of Moria. The huge, stone trees, the wide open spaces and fewer enemies make it calmer than much of what you’ve endured so far.

But, always, there is trouble to be dealt with. Some of your quests here are NPC-given, but a large number are auto-bestowed. Those ones are labelled “landscape” on the Wiki.

You finally emerge from the darkness of Moria, and squinting you are met with the stunning Mirrormere lake. In the distance you can make out the tops of the trees of Lothlórien.

But your path to the Golden Wood is not easy, as Orcs have set up several camps as they seek to intrude on Lórien itself.

You have arrived now at the creepiest part of Creepy Town, the Foundations of Stone. Here, the Moria Epic reaches something of a peak (ironically) when the Dwarves and Elves must work together.

But it is also here that LOTRO have incorporated their interpretations of Nameless Things. LOTRO have had to sort-of name them, but not with a species or race inference either. Come on down…

The shadow of the Necromancer hangs over the Mirkwood, formerly Greenwood the Great. From the outset, your focus is drawn towards Dol Guldur, a stronghold of the Enemy. Join with the Elves in their siege of Dol Guldur, or fight the spiders of the Scuttledells, or delve into the history of the region. Mirkwood is steeped in rich Lord of the Rings lore.

There are many side quests in Mirkwood, along with repeatable ones – which you may need if you want max reputation.

Enedwaith is hugely varied region, making it a good choice to add to your adventures in zones by level. It has Dunlending villages, animal spirits, a village of Stoor Hobbits, haunted barrows and dragon-inhabited snow-capped mountains.

While the Epic focuses on how to get the Grey Company through to Dunland, if you’re making your own adventure, different experiences await you in all the compass directions in Enedwaith!

Assist the Grey Company as they venture South to rejoin their kindred. From their base at Fordirith, help them with scouting, hunting and retrieving buried supplies.

Start at Echad Dagoras.

Despite its name – and appearance – the Gloomglens is a varied location for questing. The Stoor Village of Maur Tulhau offers distinctly Hobbity quests, until you’re faced with a Bugan threat, that is.

It is here you may also meet with some unusual and possibly unnatural creatures of nature. I love this part of the questing in Enedwaith.

In the snowy, eastern portion of the Enedwaith zone lies Thrór’s Coomb, an area inhabited by dragons and giants.

The quests here at Level 65, with enemies being that or a little under it. You can pick them up at Harndirion (a place) or by speaking to Gronu (a Dunlending man).

The Lich Bluffs, as the name suggests in an area of burial barrows. And, as we have come to expect from The Lord of the Rings anywhere the Enemy can, wights and spirits are raised to serve the Enemy.

Quests here trigger in different ways, so best refer to the Wiki on that!

Unravel some ancient mysteries of the land of Enedwaith with the side-quests in the Mournshaws. I 100% believe you should include these in your levelling journey as they are worth the time investment in story-telling.

While technically starting at L64, the quests are L65. You can do them under that level if you want to, of course!

Welcome to the land of the clans. Dunland is a wild country and its people revere and/or fear spirits. Here you can explore tombs, the wilds, woods and marshes. In terms of exploring LOTRO’s zones by level, you can do worse than include Dunland.

Its side-quests offer some of the best quest-given outfit cosmetics that I, and others in-game still use. It’s also the place where you learn the reference “Isengard Bids Five” that occasionally enters World Chat!

Note: for the areas of Dunland, I’ve marked those with quests starting at L66 as starting at L65.

You can take the most careful path, navigating LOTRO Zones by Level, but one thing will lead to another and… you’ll end up at Barrows and Wights. To be fair, if you arrived in Dunland by this path, you took the Lich Bluffs route through Enedwaith. So, what were you expecting, really?

This is one of the two routes you can decide to bring the Grey Company from Enedwaith. So this shares a level-range with Trum Dreng.

This is one of two routes you can bring the Grey Company from Enedwaith. Trum Dreg introduces you to the wilder, craggy feel of this LOTRO zone earlier than the Bonevales route. Plus, you know, it’s decidedly more pleasant than fighting dead things.

The issues between the various clans come to light quicker here, too – especially in terms of the Stag and the Dragon Clans. After all, it’s not just the landscape that’s wild.

Pren Gwydh is like the central part of Dunland. At its heart is Galtrev, a former player hub with all the facilities you’d expect of a sizeable town.

When you first arrive, Galtrev is under enemy control but you can change that through the questlines available. You can still access the town services whether you’ve freed Galtrev or not. But you really should.

I almost did not include this area because it is solely related to the Epic. But if you missed it, or skipped parts of the story, then do pick it up.

It starts with Volume III, Book 4, Ch 6, The Will to Stand.

Avardin in Starkmoor plays host to a critical turning-point for your character if you’re running the Epic questline here. But there are plenty of side-quests too.

In the very least, do them up to and including The Auction. It’ll clear up the quote of “Isengard Bids Five”!

Leaving Lórien behind you, you step 1into a forest more akin to Mirkwood. But this is Thinglad, the gateway protected by the Elves against trespassers.

Pick up the excellently-crafted story of Wynmar and Lóriel. If you regret it, it will be for the right reasons.

“Where the bog is boggy and the frogs are froggie”…is not the Lizard-Clan’s slogan. Anyway, meet up with a new clan who survive in an even harsher environment than others on dry ground.

And, if you stick it out working with them, you’ll discover an amazing area hidden away in the farthest reaches of the Bog. And no, that’s not hyperbole.

The Gap of Rohan is historically very important in Lord of the Rings lore, and LOTRO brings it alive really well here.

Join the Rohirrim forces and key figures like Théodred and Grimbold in their battles against Dunlendings and Orcs. The Gap of Rohan is a beautiful region, but the Enemy cares little for that when conquest is all that matters.

After leaving Lórien, your path leads you to Rohan. The Great River region has some amazing storytelling and variation in your part too. The ones in/around Stangard in particular are excellent.

But your first task is to help protect the entrance to Lórien against those who purposefully, or even unwittingly encroach upon it. The narratives here are really powerful in my humble opinion, so, regardless of your level, don’t storm through here, but go slow and enjoy them.

The heart of Éorlsmead is the large town of Stangard. Here, on the outer edges of Rohan, trouble is brewing and distrust is rife.

You start out with some traditional adventurer-style quests, but it isn’t long before you are drawn into the storm. And this epic is outside of the Epic! If you don’t have Hospitality in a Strange Land from Thinglad, head to Stangard and pick up The Troubles of Stangard from Stanric.

In Dunland, we’re used to settlements being friendly – where the locals don’t immediately fight you – or hostile, where they do.

At Barnavon in Carreglyn, the situation is more…complicated. Help those Dunlendings who need it, whether your aid is genuinely welcome or not. There are loads of L71 quests meaning you should have little problem hitting L72 even without Rested XP.

When so far from the seat of power in Rohan, whose word do you believe on who is friend and who is foe? Could a long-term ally be deemed an enemy?

With such conversations unsettling people’s minds, it’s unsurprising that Orcs have the opportunity of making life harder for the Rohirrim.

A key moment arises when an Uruk is finally captured and taken to Stangard for judgement, but it is truth that really stands trial.

The Gravenwood is the final part of the Dunland storylines and is a cross-over point between it and The Gap of Rohan.

There are quests for the Grey Company and for the Rohirrim stationed there an can begin earning reputation with Théodred’s Riders too.

Before You Quest Here: take a look at the Wiki’s page on A Dark and Lonely Forest, so that you don’t accidentally miss out on quests for deed completion.

Parth Celebrant, once a great battlefield, is now largely wild, ruinous and haunted by Oathbreakers.

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This area, and the ruins, are actually really pretty. So take time to enjoy them! While the quests here are largely L73-74, I think hitting L75 is feasible even if you start at L73.

Between the areas of the Fields of Celebrant to the West and the Brown Lands to the East lies the Rushgore. It’s murky and boggy, but marks an important ford over the Anduin.

Start at Aculf’s Camp and aid them against the brigands and other foes, who appear more emboldened than the Rohirrim expected.

As full of natural beauty as the name implies, the area was decimated during an ancient war (per the Wiki).

If memory serves, your primary foes here are Easterlings, so get your Tactical Mitigations and Resistences ready. If it’s an area you’ve skipped before, head to Etheburg and offer your services.

Long after you’ve escaped from Isengard Depths, you can start quests for the Rangers in the Ring of Isengard. It is much later that you’ll return with the Ents (and it’s worth it when you get to that point!).

Work to undermine Saruman’s efforts, starting at Dagoras’ Camp. You can also find one Ent within the walls of Isengard who also has quests: visit Quickbeam’s Grove once you have completed the quest Seeds of Hope.

The Limlight Gorge is a sort-of mini endgame for Level 75-ers. It has its own Reputation faction, daily repeatable quests, deeds and group content.

The quests are largely for Small Fellowships and above, but I managed some of them on my Guardian. However they were quite a slog! I took my Skirmish Soldier along, I believe. You will do better with a kinmate or other friend!

Limlight Gorge also hosts the group instance Roots of Fangorn.

From Level 75, embark on the next stage of the War of the Ring – or quests around it – by venturing into The Wold.

This area is connected to the Great River zone and throws you into the Rohan storylines face first. It is here that you will acquire your War-Steed, but you must complete the storyline in Langhold first. I am genuinely sorry about that.

Venture a little deeper into Rohan and be met with the iconic view of the towering monuments of Isildur and Anárion, aka the Argonath

Don’t get too distracted, though, because the Orc threat is very real and the East Wall is the route to other areas of Rohan. Check in a Mansig’s Encampment to assist the Rohirrim there.

The impact of Saruman’s and Sauron’s war against Rohan begins to take shape in the Norcrofts. The beautiful gentle slops are pockmarked with burned-out houses and crops.

But the area still boasts thriving towns, strongholds against the onslaught. Repair, train and take the fight to the enemy.

Bordering on the Eaves of Fangorn, the Entwash Vale seems to have more than a fair share of troubles.

Not content with burning farms, Orcs and Uruks make plays for entire villages, leaving people without homes. Even their burial grounds of the Wodfen are affected by the spreading evil in the lands. Drakes, nesting in the Wyrmdelf pose their own risks and even goblins have taken an underground lair.

The Wiki calls this a “remnant of the once great Fangorn Forest”. The Eaves of Fangorn are not immune to the spread of evil and destruction, where spiders are but one of the wood’s difficulties.

You can also pick up a side quest chain as trouble from nearby Garsfeld forces Léofmar to flee for the apparent safety of Fangorn, only to believe himself cursed.

The Sutcrofts are a kind of gateway between the East Wall/Norcrofts to the Entwash Vale. The main town is Snowbourn, but is the nearby ruin of Hybold where you can make a permanent mark on Rohan.

If you’re in the L83-86 range, rebuilding Hytbold requires the completion of dailies that come in many different flavours. This makes it great for levelling too. Check your mail or auto-bestowed quests and look for “To Hytbold” to get started.

A never-ending Winter has gripped Wildermore, and tales abound of a fearsome foe that brings Winter and death with it.

Wildermore is deceptively beautiful but its stories are those of hardship. Do you have what it takes to help the locals overthrow their worst enemy?

Start the quest sequence with the quest Harding’s Concern.

The Kingstead this region of Rohan is home to Edoras, the seat of Théoden King. It is here the conniving Gríma Wormtongue is finally kicked out when the King is returned to his senses.

The side-quests here are L86-87, so you’re fine at L85 too. See “Kingstead Quests” on the Wiki.

If you’ve included the Eastfold in a roam of the LOTRO zones by level, then Level 87 brings you to a rich part of Rohan.

Aldburg used to be its capital, though is less well-tended these days. While you may think it peaceful, Orcs do still raid farms, and other threats loom. With some of the Eastfold’s defenders called to defend the Hornburg, can you help stem the tide of evil?

After having fought mostly Orcs, Uruks and Wargs, it could be easy to forget that evil Dunlendings were pulled into the War too.

The ruined settlement of Torsbury in the zone of the Broadacres provides the reminder. Even in a more-sparsely populated region, the enemy is not content to let any free peoples feel safe.

While historically the Rohirrim and Dunlendings here lived peacefully as neighbours, Saruman’s influence means that is no longer the case.

Trust becomes a rare commodity and the local town of Woodhurst is the focus of aggression from within and forces without.

Can you aid the Rohirrim? Will they even let you?

The Westfold region is a key point in The Lord of the Rings as it is where the Battle of Helm’s Deep takes place.

The battle is the main focus of the Epic, but if you’re levelling here, aid the survivors of Marton. Their town was completely destroyed and their refugees, now under the leadership of the former Thane’s wife, need every help they can get.

It’s a wood…with Ents in it! What? Yes, I know, stating the obvious!

If you haven’t done them yet, the Entwood has dailies that include instances where there are plenty of gathering nodes too. You can gear up a bit with the barter leaves, or save for some unique Huorn pets.

While you’re around the Level 95-100 range, pop back to vary your experience a bit.

At the foot of the White Mountains lies Morlad, and the start of your travels through Gondor. The Blackroot Vale is home to the famous Stone of Erech – famous for all the wrong reasons, naturally.

Each of the main settlements has quests. But if you do them in order (starting at Morlag), you get a vector to the next settlement, making it a smooth journey, story-wise.

Note: I have excluded the L100 quests at Tarlang’s Crown from this level range as they are all Fellowship quests.

Lamedon is not at all lame! In fact it’s pretty crucial, given it has one of the beacons where Gondor might “call for aid”.

While the area seems qu
1,024 (1.39%)iet, with its aurochs farms, Corsairs have been making trouble for the locals. And other criminal types are trying to take advantage of the situation as well.

I’ve marked it as L96-98 to agree with the Wiki, but the side-quests start at Level 97. If you’re L96 and roughly geared around that level, it won’t be an issue for you.

The Havens of Belfalas, home to magnificent port city of Dol Amroth is a hugely significant location in The Lord of the Rings. The Corsairs have laid a siege here, at a time when sailing to the aid of allies is of the highest order.

For Non-Epic levelling purposes, there is loads to do here. There are quests outside of Dol Amroth. Inside, you can take part in the City Watch. Each district or “department” has its own mini-reputation faction and there are plenty of dailies too.