I did go the whole way around the mountain the first time. Second time I took the cart to Riften and travelled from there. My brother found a shortcut. From the Ritual stone you can head south. There is a path there that leads up through a pass in the mountain. Once through you get to a road, although it's quicker to skip the road and head up the river that should be to your right. You'll know you're on the right path when you find a small cave with a normal troll, a nirnroot and two dead stormcloaks. Right after the cave you can go to your left and you should enter Ivarstead.




