(1) A short distance down the path after entering Knotwood Hills, a lone bereskarn attacks. It tries to ambush you after the short rise as the path first crests; if you send your tank to intercept first, you party will have no trouble. Up on the hill to your left, two hangmen conduct dark business. You can bypass them completely, unless you want the extra experience from these human thugs.
(2) Wind down to the bridge that crosses the chasm. On the far side, look for the beginning of crisscrossing stairs that continue down. At the foot of the first set lies a chest with "The Long-Buried Past" side quest and a Hirol's Lava Burst gift (ideally for Oghren).
(3) At the base of the next set of stairs, deepstalkers attack if you head to the south away from the northern Deep Roads entrance. If you brave the deepstalkers, you can gain the "Lucky Charms" side quest when you find Micah's lucky deer foot in a bag.
(4) Continue north to the T-intersection. Hurlocks are overwhelming a female rogue in golden armor. She fights valiantly, but it's up to you to step in and save her from the swarm. Send your tank at the hurlock alpha and the rest will fall easily once you take the alpha down. Sigrun lends her rogue melee expertise to the fight too.
After the battle, she explains that she's the last of a failed Legion foray against the darkspawn at Kal'Hirol, an ancient dwarven fortress. She intends to avenge her fallen comrades, and you can invite her to join your party as you descend into the Deep Roads to continue unraveling the mystery of sentient darkspawn.