You can go around the stronghold by using mountains if you want to go around. Having a stronghold should count for something. If you take the stronghold though, you will gain an immense advantage. You can always attack your enemy's stronghold by surprise. Gather your men and declare war as you attack the stronghold. Take it before your enemies can react. Sounds dirty but that is how many strongholds were lost.
Or making walls of strongholds weaker if you attack it from the behind. Most of the strongholds had taller walls on one side while lower walls on the other.
