Orfalch Echor

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The First Gate of the way to the city

The Orfalch Echor was the ravine of the Dry River in the Encircling Mountains, the route by which the hidden city of Gondolin was approached. At its lower end was the First Gate, the Gate of Wood. The Orfalch continued through the remainder of the Seven Gates of Gondolin, reaching the Seventh Gate, the Gate of Steel. At the upper end was a high sward that offered a view of Tumladen and the city in its center.[1][2]

Etymology

The name Orfalch Echor seems to be a combination of Noldorin or ("above"), falch ("cleft"), and echor ("outer circle"), perhaps meaning "High Cleft of the Outer Circle".[3]

Other Versions of the Legendarium

In The Book of Lost Tales, the Way of Escape was the main entrance to Gondolin, but it was expressly built by the Gondothlim both to be used by those Noldor who escaped from Morgoth[4] and as a way of escape in case the city was attacked, as that ended up happening. Because of Meglin's treason, Melko was awared of this pass, so many survivors were killed there by a monster while trying to escape more quickly in spite of Idril's persuasions.[5] This way is also known as Bad Uthwen in Gnomish and Uswevandë in Qenya.[6]

References