Chance to Aronburg

This is a dangerous area. The route from Chance to Aronburg by boat crosses miles of exposed water that is threatened by a mix of swamp pirates and lizard folk. The depths can be challenging, as the lake is broad and shallow in several places. This isn't really a problem in terms of traversing the lake, but the careful navigation required is a significant time delay during the crossing.
Another danger are the spiny rock formations that run out into the lake from the steep western slope that runs down into the lake. This forces traffic to the east, which also puts it within easy contact of the swamps and marshlands of the eastern shore.
These swamps are home to lizard folk, and trolls further east. They are also full of many other kinds of similar monsters, including shambling mounds. There are also more mundane creatures based in the myriad waterways that feed and drain the swamplands. There are swamp pirates that hide deep within these swamps, coming out to prey on anything moving across the lake. They occasionally make raids on Chance or the roads in and out of that town, disappearing back into the swamp for cover.
The road around the area sweeps wide of the valley, rising along a steep ridge toward the eastern mountains, with trails running further up into the hills and to the mountains further east, where there are numerous mines. The road rides along the edge of a scree filled slope that runs down to the valley below. Much of the area within the arc of roadway is low and marshy much of the year. The dark green area of the map defines the swamp, but the marshy lowlands stretch well east of that.
This part of the trail is prone to attack from bandit gangs that live in caves higher up the hills. These bands are a wild mix of human, orc, lizard folk and many other humanoid creatures united by the opportunity to raid. A common attack involves ambush, with avalanches started and then the attackers descend. They may roll rocks onto the travelers, or try to block their movement ahead or back.
And let's face it... there are probably giants in this part of the world. Certainly stone giants and likely frost giants as well.