Delve into the mystical realm of Shadow of the Erdtree, the latest expansion for Elden Ring, where ancient secrets await discovery. From hidden villages like Prospect Town to mysterious ruins and forgotten graves, this guide will unravel the mysteries of the Realm of Shadow, revealing every secret location and hidden path that only the most intrepid explorers dare to tread.

Elden Ring has accustomed players to the fact that just reaching certain regions of the map may involve a long and often dangerous journey. It is no different in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, which is full of branching paths and non-obvious passages. In this chapter, we have collected hard-to-reach regions of the Land of Shadow along with detailed instructions on how to get to them. Thanks to our tips, you will easily reach every corner of the DLC’s map.

List of secret regions

In the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring, several secret regions await discovery. Gravesite Plain and Scadu Altus are two main areas filled with hidden zones and items. Notable secret locations include Prospect Town, Ancient Ruins of Ruah, Bonnie Village, and Charos’ Hidden Grave. Additionally, players can uncover illusory walls throughout the Realm of Shadow, which reveal special items and access new areas. Exploring these regions often requires careful navigation and interaction with the environment to uncover all the hidden secrets and rewards4.

1. All dungeons – here you will find a useful list of all dungeons and underground locations in the Land of Shadow.
2. How to get to the southern edge of the map? – we tell you how to get to the Cerulean Coast region located near the sea.
3. How to get to the lower Scadu Altus? – we explain how to get to the lower parts of the central region of the map.
4. How to open the passage behind the headless statue? – we indicate how to open the passage behind the headless statue in the northern wing of the Shadow Keep.
5. How to reach Charo’s Hidden Grave? – we inform how to reach the region right above Cerulean Coast.
6. How to reach the Abyssal Woods? – on this page you will learn how to reach the dark forest haunted by dangerous enemies.
7. How to get to Scadu Altus without fighting Rellana? – we present an alternative path to reach Scadu Altus, which completely skips the fight with Rellana.
8. How to drain the Shadow Keep? – we tell you how to drain water from the Church District in Shadow Keep.
9. How to get to the southern island on the Cerulean Coast? – we explain how to get to the small island south of Land of Shadow.

What are the most challenging secret locations to find in Shadow of the Erdtree

Finding secret locations in Shadow of the Erdtree, the latest expansion for Elden Ring, can be a daunting task due to their cleverly hidden nature. Here are some of the most challenging secret locations to discover:

1. Abyssal Woods and Midra’s Manse:

   • Challenge: Extremely difficult to find without guidance.

   • Path: Players must navigate through Shadow Keep, find a hidden ladder, pass through a waterfall, solve a painting puzzle, and use a teleporting coffin to reach the Castle Watering Hole. From there, they must traverse the Darklight Catacombs, defeating Jori, Elder Inquisitor, to finally reach the Abyssal Woods and Midra’s Manse.

2. Shaman Village:

   • Challenge: Requires a specific gesture to unlock a hidden passage.

   • Path: Located behind a statue near the Shadow Keep Back Gate site of grace. Players must perform the “O, Mother” gesture to open the passage leading to the Hinterlands, where the Shaman Village is located4.

3. Charo’s Hidden Grave:

   • Challenge: Not straightforward to locate.

   • Path: Found near the Grand Altar of Dragon Communion, close to the path leading to Bayle the Dread. This area offers optional bosses like the Death Rite Bird and Demi-Human Queen Marigga.

4. Stone Coffin Fissure:

   • Challenge: Requires precise navigation and combat skills.

   • Path: Located on the southern coast, past the Grand Altar of Dragon Communion. Players must drop down onto giant stone coffins and navigate through a challenging dungeon filled with Death Rite Birds and stone golems4.

5. Bonnie Village:

   • Challenge: Requires navigating through a dangerous area early in the game.

   • Path: Accessible by traveling through the early Scat Alas Plateau, where players must endure The Butchers to reach the lower levels of the Shadow Keep4.

What’s the best strategy to find the Abyssal Woods

Finding the Abyssal Woods in Shadow of the Erdtree requires a strategic approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate through this challenging area:

Step-by-Step Guide to Reach Abyssal Woods

1. Start at Shadow Keep:

   • Begin at the Main Gate Plaza in Shadow Keep, located at the top of Scadu Altus.

   • Defeat the Golden Hippopotamus to progress.

2. Navigate Through Shadow Keep:

   • From the Main Gate Plaza, head west up the stairs, avoiding ambushes.

   • Continue past the glowing boats and find a ladder to descend onto a narrow walkway.

   • Go under the waterfall and enter a room with the Domain of Dragons Painting.

   • Roll against the wall opposite the painting to reveal a secret passageway.

3. Reach Castle Watering Hole:

   • Follow the waterway and rest in the coffin to be transported to the Castle Watering Hole Site of Grace.

4. Travel to Recluses’ River:

   • Dash southwest past the awakening Furnace Golem.

   • Rest at the Recluses’ River Upstream Site of Grace.

   • Continue south along the path, using Torrent to double jump over gaps and avoid Man-Flies.

5. Reach Darklight Catacombs:

   • Keep heading south until you reach the Recluses’ River Downstream Site of Grace.

   • Look for a series of gravestones embedded in the cliff to descend down to the river.

   • Move east along the cliff walls, fending off Vulgar Militia, to find the entrance to the Darklight Catacombs.

6. Complete Darklight Catacombs:

   • Traverse the catacombs, eventually leading to a boss fight against Jori, Elder Inquisitor.

   • Defeating Jori grants access to the Abyssal Woods.

7. Explore Abyssal Woods:

   • Once in the Abyssal Woods, you’ll need to explore on foot as Torrent will be too fearful to be summoned.

   • Be cautious of the dense fog and lurking enemies.

Tips for Exploration

• Use Stealth: In foggy areas, try to move stealthily to avoid unnecessary combat.

• Map Fragment: Obtain the map fragment to better navigate the woods.

• Outrun Enemies: If necessary, outrun enemies that get stuck in trees to avoid combat.

• Stay Alert: Keep an eye out for hidden enemies and traps throughout the woods.

By following these steps and tips, you can successfully find and explore the Abyssal Woods in Shadow of the Erdtree.