The Trollshaws were the upland woods, consisting at least partly of beech trees, that lay to the west of Rivendell between the Rivers Hoarwell and Loudwater.
On the hills of the Trollshaws were shallow caves, such as the Trolls' lair, and Mannish castles and towers.
The Trollshaws were within the borders of Arnor and later of the smaller realm of Rhudaur. The Men of Rhudaur built castles and towers on the top of some of its hills.
They were the haunt of Trolls, especially after the fall of Arnor; Stone-trolls from "the mountains" came to the woodlands. This was the case of William, Tom, and Bert who, having eaten a village and a half on their way, complained about the scarcity of people in the area and instead had to make do with mutton. While they made their camp, they famously waylaid Bilbo and his companions who were on their Quest of Erebor. Thanks to the distractions of Gandalf, the Trolls were turned to stone by the Sun. Years later, Frodo and his companions traversed the woodland and found the Trolls' petrified forms on their way to Rivendell.
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