LOTRO Barrow-Downs Explorer Deed Map

LOTRO The Barrow Downs Deed - Explore the Barrows of Bree-land

As terrifying, haunting and sometimes downright disgusting the Barrow-Downs are, they play a huge role in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. If not for this area, Tom Bombadil would not have rescued the Hobbits from Wights, for example. So, with this in mind, the LOTRO Barrow-Downs Deed sees you going where brave (and not-so-brave) LOTR characters have already been.

Let’s take a look at ticking this off so you get one step closer to completing the Explorer of Bree-land Deed.

Need the Slayer Deed Too?

If you have yet to complete the Bree-land Slayer Deed, then you can progress Wight Slayer and Barghest Slayer here for the “normal” deed. Certain barrows themselves also have Barrow-Wardens (or spirits/wights that count) for the separate Grave-Digger Deed.

LOTRO Slayer of Bree-land Deed Map and Guide

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The Barrow-Downs Deed

It’s an Explorer Deed in a Non-Explorer Deed’s Clothing

Where a lot of similar deeds in LOTRO are called “Explorer” this one does not have that label. However it does fit into the “parent” deed.

Which Places Do I Need To Find?

There are a few places you need to visit – some of which are in the Northern barrows and some in the Southern ones. So I’d advise you being at least Level 20 before starting the Barrow-Downs Deed in LOTRO.

  1. The Northern Barrows
  2. The Dead Spire
  3. The Dead Man’s Perch
  4. The Great Barrow
  5. Ost Gorthad

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Locations in the Northern Barrow-Downs

There are three objectives in this area:

Northern Barrows

Coordinates: 30.3S, 56.0W
In the North-Western corner of the Northern Barrow Downs.

Shockingly, I know, but the Northern Barrows are in the North of the Downs (not the North Downs, so don’t get confused)! Who would have thought, eh? If you enter the Barrow Downs from the North (not through The Old Forest) then turn right and head West. If you are coming from the Old Forest (maybe after looking for the flowers), then turn left and head North. Here are the Northern Barrows:
LOTRO Northern Barrows Location
Northern Barrows Location

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The Dead Spire

Coordinates: 33.8S, 55.8W
Further South, approaching the paths to the Southern Barrow Downs.

The Dead Spire is a really obvious landmark within the Northern Barrow-Downs. Arguably the most obvious. The enormous standing-stone type rock sits atop a small hill and is surrounded by a circle of smaller stones.

LOTRO The Dead Spire in the Northern Barrow-Downs
The Dead Spire
Gravestone type engraving at the foot of the Dead Spire.
Gravestone type engraving at the foot of the Dead Spire.

Various quests bring you here, including those granting by the Wandering Shade.

LOTRO Dead Spire Location, Northern Barrow-Downs
Dead Spire Location

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Quick Links: The Northern BarrowsThe Dead SpireThe Dead Man’s PerchThe Great BarrowOst Gorthad


The Dead Man’s Perch

Coordinates: 32.1S, 53.8W
South-East in the Northern Barrow-Downs near the path to the Southern barrows.

I seem to find people semi-regularly searching my site for Dead Man’s Perch. Until I made this page, however, it was only ever mentioned in my LOTRO FanFiction.

Anyway, Dead Man’s Perch features a few quest-giving NPCs, which include repeatable “bounty” quests and chance for additional Men of Bree reputation.
You can also take a #StopAndStare breather and escape the mists to look out towards Bree. All the gloom of the Barrows clears at this campsite, so it’s worth a detour.

LOTRO Dead Man's Perch Location
Dead Man’s Perch Location

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Quick Links: The Northern BarrowsThe Dead SpireThe Dead Man’s PerchThe Great BarrowOst Gorthad


Locations in the Southern Barrow-Downs

While you only have two places to find here, one is at one end and the other nearly at the furthest point away!

The Great Barrow

Coordinates: 32.1S, 56.0W
At the Northern edge of the Southern Barrow Downs.

While you can go to the Great Barrow on landscape as normal, you actually tick this off sooner when you are doing the Epic in the Old Forest. This is Volume I, Book 1: Othrongoth. It’s where you meet the lovely chappy in the video on the right (or below on smaller screens).
LOTRO Great Barrow Location, Southern Barrow Downs
The Great Barrow Location, Southern Barrow Downs

Of course, if your character is a throw-away deeder then ignore what I just said and run into the Barrow-Downs like a crazy. You can’t miss it, it’s so “great” it even says so on the in-game map!

The Great Barrow: Othrongoth Solo Instance
Play this video
The Great Barrow: Othrongoth Solo Instance

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Quick Links: The Northern BarrowsThe Dead SpireThe Dead Man’s PerchThe Great BarrowOst Gorthad


Ost Gorthad

Coordinates: 35.5S, 53.9W
The humungous ruin in the South-Eastern corner of the Southern Barrow-Downs

If you thought The Dead Spire was hard to miss, then Ost Gorthad makes the spire seem puny. This enormous ruin (which is not part of the Ruins of Bree-land Deed) ticks off the deed well before the map marker – and I’m fairly sure that it’s even before you set food inside it. As with other locations in this guide, various quests bring you here, including gathering Remembrances during the Anniversary Eriador Scavenger Hunt.

Nearby Slayer Deed

Just South of Ost Gorthad is a wooded area you can use to progress the Bree-land Woodsman (Huorns) deed.

LOTRO Ost Gorthad Location, Southern Barrow-Downs
Ost Gorthad Location

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Quick Links: The Northern BarrowsThe Dead SpireThe Dead Man’s PerchThe Great BarrowOst Gorthad


The Barrow-Downs Deed Maps

Here are the full maps for your reference, I hope they’re of some help!

Northern Barrow-Downs

Southern Barrow-Downs

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Quick Links: The Northern BarrowsThe Dead SpireThe Dead Man’s PerchThe Great BarrowOst Gorthad


Deed Rewards

The life of an adventurer isn’t entirely thankless. The Valar, thankfully, will bestow rewards on you as deeds don’t have quest-givers. So for randomly running around to discover places you should rightfully be running away from, you’ll get:

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Quick Links: The Northern BarrowsThe Dead SpireThe Dead Man’s PerchThe Great BarrowOst Gorthad


TL;DR Explore the Barrow Downs (Deed) – Fun For All the Family?

Well, perhaps not. But at least you only have to visit five locations before you get the heck out of there! While you’re clearing The Barrow-Downs Deed, remember to tick off Wights and Barghests from the Slayer of Bree-land Deed. This place is hardly a tourist hotspot, so who wants to return to it more than is necessary anyway? Happy Deeding!


About the Author

Fibro Jedi
Fibro Jedi

I have been playing MMOs for about ten years and began writing guides to The Lord of the Rings Online in 2017. I've only been creating content about Final Fantasy XIV since 2022, but I am glad for the mix. My current games include LOTRO, FFXIV and the occasional Palia session too.

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