Elden Ring Hidden Locations Only Experts Found

It’s no doubt that Elden Ring has won the hearts of both new and old players, most of which have enjoyed exploring Lands Between, while others have raged quit after having to face a boss multiple times. But, in reality, Elden Ring is made for players that want to advance the storyline at their own pace, not having to be forced to do anything until they feel they’re ready.

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Because of that freedom that Elden Ring has brought into the gaming world, seasoned players have uncovered hidden locations and quests that are can only be found if they know where to look. But, some of these locations are far more hidden than others, so if a player wants to find them, they’ll need to pay close attention to their surroundings.

Updated December 14, 2023 by Erik Petrovich: In Elden Ring secret areas can hide anything from gear and items to entire expansive zones – sometimes, more than one zone can be discovered in a single hidden area. Elden Ring’s hidden locations can be found all over the map, too, but they are often easy to miss. The Consecrated Snowfield, for example, is an endgame zone that also connects to the Haligtree, but good luck getting there without fulfilling the pre-requisites (and traversing the Hidden Path itself). This list of the best hidden areas Elden Ring players can discover has been updated with more specific instructions on how to get to each secret area, as well as what makes each hidden area worth finding in the first place.

15 Consecrated Snowfield

A Hidden Zone That Leads To Miquella’s Haligtree

Players familiar with the Mountaintops of the Giants will know that this region of the Lands Between is harsh and unforgiving, which is why so many players try to rush through the region. However, one of the best-kept secrets in Elden Ring is the Consecrated Snowfield, which is located on the lower plains of the Mountaintops of the Giants.

In this area, players will be able to obtain an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, St. Trina’s Torch, and Night’s Cavalry Set, all of which will make becoming Elden Lord a lot easier. It also connects to the Haligtree and has several mini-dungeons and catacombs to explore, too.

How To Get To The Consecrated Snowfield

Players can only reach this secret area in Elden Ring by acquiring both Haligtree Secret Medallions and using them at the Grand Lift of Rold to unlock a new travel option.

14 Village of the Albinaurics

Out-Of-The-Way, And Not Shown On The Map

Of all Elden Ring’s secret locations, the Village of the Albinaurics is perhaps the creepiest since the entire village is adorned with hanging corpses. Furthermore, this area is darker than usual and located on a slope, making it difficult to even see from a distance.

Once there though, players will be able to loot one of the Haligtree Secret Medallions and fight an Omenkiller boss.

How To Get To The Village of the Albinaurics

Finding this location can be tough since it’s hidden on the map of Liurnia, underneath the Moonlight Altar zone. As such, players should ride Torrent until they reach the south-western cliffs of Liurnia, and ride underneath to find the Village in the middle of the open cavern.

13 Volcano Manor

Home of Rykard & A Short Assassination Questline

Volcano Manor is an entirely optional area, as is the case for most of Elden Ring’s secret locations, and many players miss it since it’s difficult to reach. However, within the confines of Volcano Manor, Tanith will task players with assassinating several other Tarnished in a unique questline, and the Great Rune holder Rykard

How To Get To Volcano Manor

Players can get to the Volcano Manor either by being killed by an Abductor Virgin in the deepest part of the Raya Lucaria Academy or by riding around the base of it from the Altus Plateau Site of Grace.

12 Deeproot Depths

Ever Wonder Where Godwyn Ended Up?

The Deeproot Depths are found deep beneath Leyndell, and can only be accessed via one of two relatively out-of-the-way methods. This area is reminiscent of Ash Lake from the first Dark Souls game, though instead of a giant Ancient Dragon at the end, players will find something wholly more disturbing.

Players who decide to explore this underground region in Elden Ring will be able to loot several powerful items, including the Crucible Set. Here, players can also progress and complete Fia’s questline within Deeproot Depths, which rewards Fia’s Set and a new Mending Rune, which unlocks a new ending.

How To Get To Deeproot Depths

Players must either rest inside a coffin after defeating the Valiant Gargoyles in the Siofra Aquaduct, or progress through the Frenzied Flame questline by defeating Mohg, the Omen in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds.

11 Windmill Village

A Grisly Scene On The Northern Edge of Altus

Located north of the Capital City, Windmill Village may seem like a lively village since players can see several Celebrant NPCs dancing and chanting to the rhythm of music, but there’s more to this village than first meets the eye. Elden Ring players that manage to locate this hidden location will quickly notice that the Celebrants are celebrating the killing and skinning of the townsfolk.

Moreover, players will also be met with a lone Godskin Apostle that can prove difficult to beat if the player is under-leveled. Fortunately, players that progress through Millicent’s questline can call for her aid during the fight.

How To Get To Windmill Village

Windmill Village can be found in the northern edge of the Altus Plateau, but not via the great bridge that once spanned its central chasm. Instead, players must ride all the way around. If players go the right way, they’ll encounter lots of Leyndell Soldiers, but they are easy to ride past. If players go left, they’ll find a Site of Grace on the other side of the great bridge where Goldmask can be found.

10 Subterranean Shunning-Grounds

A Hidden Sewer System Where The Dung Eater Is Imprisoned

Players may already have explored most of Leyndell Royal Capital, but most players aren’t aware that there’s a whole maze underneath their feet. The Subterranean Shunning-Grounds is a sewer-maze that’s filled with Rats, Ogres, and giant Lobsters.

The Dung Eater’s body can be found down imprisoned here, as well as a way to reach the Deeproot Depths zone. Players need the Sewer-Gaol Key to break the Dung Eater free.

How To Get To The Subterranean Shunning-Grounds

This area is hidden within a well that players can find near the Avenue Balcony Site of Grace. Look over the edge of the walkway that leads into Leyndell proper, and hop over it to find Vulgar Militiamen and a well that leads downward into the sewers.

9 Bestial Sanctum

Found In The Northern Dragonbarrow, But Easily Accessed Via A Hidden Portal

Players can easily miss this secret location since it can only be accessed early via a portal near the Third Church of Marika Site of Grace, one that brings players directly to Greyoll’s Dragonbarrow. But despite it being an endgame area, the Bestial Sanctum is a relatively safe area, and home to an important NPC: the Beast Clergyman.

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The Beast Clergyman will reward players for bringing him Deathroot, which itself comes from a variety of locations like catacombs, Mariner bosses, and other Necromantic enemies. All of these rewards are related to the Bestial school of incantations, including one of the most powerful Incantations in Elden Ring: Beast Claw.

How To Get To The Bestial Sanctum

Players can locate the portal by going towards the back of the Third Church of Marika and looking for a bush in a kind of gulley nearby. There should be a noticeable blue light, revealed to be a teleporter. Interact with this to be brought to the Bestial Sanctum and the Beast Clergyman.

8 Inverted Carian Study Hall

A Sorcery School Where It’s Always Opposite Day

FromSoftware has always been known to create the wildest map designs, and Elden Ring brings plenty of craziness to the table. However, one area that will surprise even the most experienced player is the Inverted Carian Study Hall, which is essentially Carian Study Hall but upside down.

The Preceptor that players may have killed in the regular version of the Study Hall returns for round two, and a suite of more difficult enemies (and a Godskin Noble) stand in players’ way, too. Getting to the end of this area is crucial not only for Ranni’s story, but also for D and Fia’s questlines.

How To Get To The Inverted Carian Study Hall

Players can access this hidden area by progressing Ranni’s questline to the point that she rewards the Carian Inverted Statue. Place this item on a desk that’s near a globe at the entrance of Carian Study Hall, which itself is in eastern Liurnia. Once placed, the entire area will flip upside down.

7 Church of Dragon Communion

Visible From Limgrave, Accessed Via A Hidden Tunnel

Without any doubt, Incantation and Sorcery are among the most powerful skills in Elden Ring, and discovering this hidden location is a must for players wanting to maximize their damage output as magic wielders. Even though it’s a hidden location, it’s easy to get to from the very start of the game.

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Because the Church of Dragon Communion is the only place in Elden Ring where players can purchase the incantations Dragonmaw, Dragonfire, and Dragonclaw, Sorcerers should head here as soon as possible. But the island is also home to a good farming spot for bird feathers and feet, useful for crafting Arrows and Gold and Silver-Pickled Fowl Feet items.

How To Get To The Church of Dragon Communion

Players can only unlock this hidden area by going through the Coastal Cave and taking a special exit that leads to the small island area just Southwest of the Coastal Cave Site of Grace.

6 Siofra River Well

One Of The Game’s Most Beautiful Zones, Hidden In A Well

Siofra River Well area is arguably one of the most jaw-dropping hidden locations in Elden Ring, and a place that’s well worth stopping for just not for the beauty of its underground starry sky, but also for its connection to other areas, questlines, and powerful loot.

The zone is intended to be explored at a low-to-medium level, so don’t worry about accidentally entering an endgame zone too early. There is an optional boss, the Ancestor Spirit, which itself can only be fought once players light up a series of torches throughout the zone.

How To Get To Siofra River Well

Players brave enough to venture into the forests of Mistwood can find the entrance of Siofra River Well behind Minor Erdtree. The area surrounding this location is guarded by several Lesser Runebears, which are one of the most annoying (and powerful) enemies to fight in Elden Ring.

5 Hidden Path to the Haligtree

A Dangerous Area That Connects To Two Zones

The Hidden Path To The Haligtree is one of the most rewarding secrets in Elden Ring to uncover, as it unlocks two entire zones, a plethora of bosses and items, and some of the most stunning views in the game. It’s not

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Players should come prepared since this area is crawling Giant Land Octopuses and Vulgar Militants. Within this connecting zone is the Silver Scarab, which increases Discovery by 75, as well as an invisible pathway that can only be seen via Rainbow Stones.

How To Get To Deeproot Depths

As the name implies, this area is hidden unless players have two items, Haligtree Secret Medallion Right and Left. These two items can be found in Castle Sol and the Village of Albinaurics. Once acquired, visit the Grand Lift of Rold Site of Grace and activate the medallion to unlock a new stop.

4 Frenzied Flame Village

Try Not To Go Mad Getting Past The Frenzied Flame Tower

Most likely, players have come across the Frenzied Flame Village Outskirts Site of Grace near the Black Knife Catacombs, but players may have missed the Frenzied Flame Village since it’s a bit further away from that Site of Grace.

This village is infested with Frenzied Villagers and a Tower that causes Madness buildup while the player is exposed – utilize cover to avoid its gaze. Once the player defeats the Infested Villagers, they can safely explore the area. Some of the powerful items players can find in the Frenzied Flame Village include:

• Frenzied Burst

• Frenzied’s Cookbook

• Shabriri’s Woe Talisman

• Howl of Shabriri

How To Get To The Frenzied Flame Village

Head to the Grand Lift of Dectus from the site of grace just outside the Raya Lucaria portal (eastern side), and look for a slope that leads upward near the entrance to the Lift. Climb this hill, and avoid the Tower’s Gaze, to reach a Site of Grace near the Village.

3 Lake Of Rot

Don’t Come To The Scarlet Rot Swamp Without Buffs & Items

Undoubtedly, the most annoying status effect in Elden Ring is Scarlet Rot since it will eat away a player’s HP more rapidly than any other effect. Because of that, most players avoid any area with rivers or lakes of Scarlet Rot, which is why Lake of Rot is particularly under the radar for most players.

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Fortunately, there are several ways to cure or mitigate the Scarlet Rot status effect, like using Preserving Boluses or Flame, Cleanse Me.

How To Get To The Lake of Rot

This area can be found by heading south from the Nokstella Waterfall Basin Site of Grace, as part of Ranni’s questline in Nokstella, and taking the lift down. There is a site of grace at the beginning of the zone, and one on the other end of the lake..

2 Abandoned Cave in Dragonbarrow

Home Of The Golden Scarab Talisman, Which Increases Rune Gain

Another hidden area filled with Scarlet Rot is the Abandoned Cave, but this one is worth exploring as early as possible thanks to the Talisman reward at the end of the dungeon.

Once inside, players can activate a Site of Grace for a brief pause. Exploring the Abandoned Cave is no easy task and will require many tries, but players will gain the Golden Scarab once the optional boss is defeated, which increases Rune acquisition.

How To Get To The Abandoned Cave

The easiest way to get to the Abandoned Cave is from the Smoldering Wall Site of Grace. Head up the chasm that divides Caelid and the Dragonbarrow and look over the edge to see a branch that players can jump onto while riding Torrent. It’s a tricky jump, so don’t mount Torrent until you can see the entrance.

1 Jarburg

Not All Living Jars Are Enemies – Some Just Want To Garden

It’s rare to find an area of Elden Ring as peaceful as Jarburg since the creatures (Living Jars) that inhabit this tiny town are mostly peaceful and will not attack the player even if they are near them. Plus, the NPC Jar Bairn, who is found sitting on a wall near the site of grace, offers players one of the game’s hidden questlines – and one of its saddest.

Jarburg is one of the best areas to farm Cracked Pots, Ritual Pots, and other plant materials as the town is abundant with them. To top it all off, the smaller Living Jars can be seen dancing around the town, which can be quite adorable.

How To Get To Jarburg

This hidden location is not easy to find since the Carian Study Hall shadows it, which is why many players have missed it while traversing through the area. Head to the Liurnia Highway site of grace, then travel north to reach the southern side of the Study Hall. Look over the cliff’s edge to find a jumping puzzle that leads down to Jarburg.

Elden Ring

Released

February 25, 2022

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence