A region of Beleriand, in the north, just to
the south of Ard-Galen/Anfauglith and separated by a thin strip of land from Doriath to the south. It is a plateau surrounded by
tall mountains which can be reached only via a few dangerous passes, which seem to lead mainly to Nan Dungortheb. Notable features include Rivil's
Well and Tarn Aeluin.
Its role in Tolkien's book The Silmarillion is mainly as a site of a rearguard action by a
small, heroic band of 14 outlaws led by the human
king Barahir and including his son, Beren. It was overrun by Morgoth's forces after Dagor Bragollach, and became a scene of guerrilla battles until eventually only the 14 remained, harassing orkish patrols in the region. After Sauron crushed the outlaws, it was renamed Taur-nu-Fuin.