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All the United States Virginia Natural Bridge Hidden J.R.R. Tolkien Quote
AO Edited

Hidden J.R.R. Tolkien Quote

Lines from a walking song are etched into a rock in Natural Bridge State Park.

Natural Bridge, Virginia

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Shellie Leete
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The quote.   Virginia State Parks/cc by 2.0
Tolkien quote is engraved or etched on this boulder near Cedar Creek.   Virginia State Parks/cc by 2.0
  Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
The site is just off the concrete bridge at 37.63068° N, 79.54821° W.   dominicbenford / Atlas Obscura User
  Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Bench near the River facing the Tolkien quote.   AndiGirl / Atlas Obscura User
Find this rock to find the quote.   Virginia State Parks/cc by 2.0
  Traveler Tim / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Virginia’s Natural Bridge is a wonder in and of itself. It’s no surprise that North America’s largest natural land bridge has been drawing people to it for centuries. But those who visit Natural Bridge State Park just to see the enormous stone structure miss risking one of its hidden gems.

Head to Cedar Creek, and you’ll find a literary surprise. There, etched into the side of a large rock, is a J.R.R. Tolkien quote.

The quote is fitting for an adventure in the woods. It displays lines from Upon The Hearth the Fire is Red, a walking song—a poem in the style of a song—written by Bilbo Baggins. Frodo, Sam, and Pippin sing it as they leave the Shire in The Fellowship of the Ring. The quote carved into the rock is from a version that Frodo later reprises and sings to Sam. 

Interestingly, the park officials don’t know who put the quote there or why. Finding it feels like stumbling upon a secret, as it isn’t located on any trail maps.

Related Tags

Rocks Authors Tolkien Trails Parks Fantasy Geology

Know Before You Go

Admission is $6 for visitors ages six to 12 and $9 for visitors over 13 years old. The park is open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. There are 137 steps down to the trail from the parking area. You can also catch a free shuttle down and back up with your admission.

Community Contributors

Added By

innkeeper

Edited By

plt4000, Kerry Wolfe, Traveler Tim, AndiGirl...

  • plt4000
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • Traveler Tim
  • AndiGirl
  • dominicbenford
  • Jason Michael Walker

Published

September 26, 2018

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Sources
  • http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Upon_The_Hearth_The_Fire_Is_Red
  • http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/blog/explore-virginia-state-parks-in-search-of-these-hidden-treasures
Hidden J.R.R. Tolkien Quote
6477 S Lee Hwy
Natural Bridge, Virginia
United States
37.628887, -79.545158
Visit Website
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