The Drunken Lizard Pub

I've just entered Talushorn. I've found the room with all the Taurax heads on the wall, and gone into the room beyond that (has the salt lick in it). After going as far as I can into the side passages, I'm stuck and can't find any levers to open the gates here. Can anyone tell me how to go on to the...

I feel like an idiot, but I can't find Hammerlorne. Is it in the middle of the ice region somewhere? Or in Durnore?

There are several shops in the game where there is a chest (or two) behind a gate, but no lever in sight.

Any hints on how to access these areas? An example of one is Radcliff (?) the weapons dealer in Port Kuudad (the one closer to the front gates) and another is the alchemy dealer in Durnore.