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The White Mountains form the northern boundary of Gondor and the southern boundary of Rohan except in their easternmost provinces.

The range lies mostly from east to west, but also has a northern section, which is separated from the main line of the Misty Mountains (or Hithaeglir) by the Gap of Rohan.

Even at the southern latitude of Gondor and Rohan, the White Mountains still bear snow even in summer, suggesting they are extremely high. The range has no passes. The Paths of the Dead pass under it, but only the most courageous (or foolhardy) ever venture that route.

Notable peaks are the Irensaga (Iron Saw) and Starkhorn. Between these two lies the Dwimorberg, entrance to the Paths of the Dead. At the eastern end, the city of Minas Tirith is carved into the mountain Mindolluin.

The Warning beacons of Gondor are placed on top of seven peaks in the range: Amon Dîn, Eilenach, Nardol, Erelas, Min-Rimmon, Calenhad and Halifirien.

Several rivers rise in the White Mountains, among them the river Adorn (a tributary of Isen), the SnowbournTolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, the Snowbourn was a river in Rohan. The Snowbourn arose in the White Mountains under the mountain Starkhorn, flowed through Harrowdale where the Rohirrim capital Edoras was built, and then flowed west until it and Mering StreamTolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, the Mering Stream was a border river of Rohan and Gondor. The Mering Stream or ( Sindarin) Glanhir formed the border between the realms of Gondor and Rohan, together with the White Mountains and the Mouths of (tributaries of the EntwashTolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, the Entwash was a great river in Rohan, notable for its huge inland delta. The Entwash, a translation of the Sindarin name Onodl had its sources in the springs that arose on Mount Methedras the southernmost pe), and, on the south side, the river EruiThe river Erui occurs in J. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth. The river Erui was one of the rivers which arose in the Middle-earth. It was not counted amongst the Seven Rivers of Gondor. The river began near Mount Mindolluin in the White Mount, a tributary of AnduinTolkien's fictional Middle-earth, the Anduin or Great River of Wilderland is the longest river in the Third Age (the original Sindarin name means Long River), rising east of the Misty Mountains and flowing south through Wilderland and eastern Gondor., the rivers RinglóThe river Ringl occurs in J. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth. It was counted as fourth of the Seven Rivers of Gondor. It arose as two smaller rivers (unnamed) in the White Mountains, on the southern arm that bend towards Belfalas. Flowing thr and its tributary CirilThe river Ciril occurs in J. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth. Also spelled Kiril it was counted as third of the Seven Rivers of Gondor. It arose in an isolated peak south of the Middle-earth in the north of the Gondorian region of Lamedon, an which together with the river MorthondThe river Morthond exists in J. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth. The Morthond, also called Blackroot was counted as second of the Seven Rivers of Gondor. It began on the southern edges of the Dwimorberg at the end of the Paths of the Dead in all enter the Bay of Belfalas at Edhellond near Dol Amroth; the river Lefnui of the Anfalas, and the Five Rivers of Lebennin.

In the Second Age the White Mountains were populated by a people related to the Dunlendings, who had been servants of Sauron. They swore allegiance to Isildur but betrayed him, and were cursed: these Men became known as the Army of the Dead, of the Paths Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and the rangers later took. Before these Men, the White Mountains had been home to the Púkel-Men or Drúedain.