The High Pass was a pass over the Misty Mountains. On its western end was the refuge of Rivendell, and from there the East Road climbed into the mountains until it reached the mountain under which laid Goblin-town, and thence descended on eastward into the Vales of Anduin.
There were actually two passes at this location: the lower pass was more prone to being waylaid by Orcs, hence most travellers used the higher pass outside of those rare occasions when the Goblins were quiescent or suppressed.
History[]
The High Pass was first used during the Great Journey when Oromë led the the Eldar through the Hithaeglir. Later the High Pass was used by the Dwarves, who connected their roads (the East Road and the Men-i-Naugrim through Mirkwood) with it.
In the late Second Age the High Pass was used by the army of Gil-galad and Elendil when they marched to Mordor in the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. After this war Isildur was slain by Orcs watching the way towards the pass.
Later, in the Third Age, the Pass became dangerous again because of the Goblins. In T.A. 2940, the goblins of Goblin-town had burrowed their way back to it, and Bilbo Baggins and the Dwarves of Thorin were captured the next year during the Quest of Erebor.
During the War of the Ring, Grimbeorn the Old and the Beornings kept the High Pass open, but the Fellowship of the Ring ignored the High Pass because the eastern side of the Misty Mountains had become too dangerous.