A vale is a valley, especially a broad, gentle one with a river or stream running through it. The word appears most often in poetry and older literature, giving landscapes a romantic, peaceful feeling. You might read about “the Vale of Evesham” in England or hear someone describe walking through a “green vale” in a story.

Writers choose vale instead of valley when they want to emphasize beauty and tranquility. A vale suggests a sheltered, protected place where life flourishes, not a harsh mountain gorge. In The Lord of the Rings, Rivendell sits in a hidden vale, safe from the dangers of the wider world.