The downs was a range of hills in Rohan in the north of the Eastemnet. They were located south-east of Fangorn Forest, south-west of The Wold and north-west of the Emyn Muil and the river Anduin. A ten miles wide long strip of sunken land lay between them and the river Entwash to the west. The downs ran in a line straight towards the north for eight leagues. They had green slopes that rose to bare ridges. The most northerly of the downs was a smooth and bare round green hill.
On 29 February 3019 Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli reached the downs and spent the night on the top of the northernmost down. On 30 February 3019 they spotted riders of Rohan to the north-west and walked down the northward slope to wait for the riders. They met Éomer and a company of riders from Rohan at the foot of the down.