There are some other caves and ledges with lower level opponents in the fjords, if you keep exploring (assuming you didn't clear it before starting on the fortresses).
I left the Orabas Crypt until late in the D2:ED section of the game because I was trying to put off completing quests as much as possible (to see how much of an effect that would have on leveling - result: it helps a bit, but not enough to worry about). I had finished off most of the flying fortresses and was clearing stuff up before heading to the Hall of Echoes.
The easiest flying fortress is Stone's, followed by Raze, Broken Valley, Keara and Kali. Since you don't seem to have a problem with dragon combat, you could try some of the harder fortresses, and see if you can level in dragon form with the higher level opponents there, then return to Stone's fortress to try the ground opponents again.
Do you have any quests to turn in, or any left to do not in the flying fortresses?
In the original release of D2:ED playing a warrior, and DKS with a ranger, I have used a creature with a mage head. I tried warrior and ranger heads, but much prefer a mage creature. Some people say a melee character should use a ranger/mage creature, and a mage/ranger character should use a fighter creature. Those people are wrong.
