The great forest east of the Misty Mountains in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth is Mirkwood. In The Hobbit, Bilbo and the Dwarves must cross it during their journey to the Lonely Mountain.
Mirkwood was formerly known as Greenwood the Great. Its character changed after the Necromancer, later revealed to be Sauron, established himself at Dol Guldur in the southern part of the forest. The shadow over the region contributed to its later name.
Mirkwood is distinct from Fangorn Forest, which lies west of the Misty Mountains and is home to the Ent Treebeard. It is also different from Lothlórien, the woodland realm ruled by Galadriel and Celeborn. The forest’s giant spiders, dark paths, and enchanted river make it one of The Hobbit’s most memorable settings.