How to get through the Lost Woods in Tears of the Kingdom (Totk)

Getting through the smoke

The Lost Woods in Tears of the Kingdom are, like many areas, particularly tricky to access. Covered in gloom, this area is completely blocked, not even allowing Link to walk through the forest. The Lost Woods can also be pretty difficult to find if you don’t know where to start looking.

What you need before adventuring

Before venturing towards The Lost Woods, you’ll need Arrows and Brightbloom Seeds in order to light your way forward. You’ll have to first enter the Depths to travel to the Lost Woods. If you enter the Depths during a red moon phase, you may also need a heat-resistant Elixir. I was able to buy three Winterwing Butterflies from Beedle at Tabantha Bridge Stable that are ingredients for heat resistance.

How to enter the Lost Woods in Tears of the Kingdom

While exploring Hyrule, you’ll see the Great Hyrule Forest that’s northeast of Hyrule Castle. From the southeast of the Great Hyrule Forest, you’ll find The Lost Woods on your map. If you try to walk through the area, however, Link will be sent back to where he enters the gloomy fog. There is no normal way of entering this forested area, even from above.

Instead, you’ll need to go below. Down the path from where The Lost Woods stand, you’ll find a chasm. It’s outlined in red and has a black hole in the middle. Run north of the Minshi Woods and Ekochiu Shrine. It’s also close to the Eldin Canyon Skyview Tower.

Jump down into the chasm and it will be pitch black underground. Tip your arrows with the Brightbloom Seeds and illuminate your way northwest. Keep going until you find orange-tinted glows in the distance. They’re called Lightroots. They’re fast travel points, like the Shrines above ground. Look in this area until you find the Rikonasum Lightroot.

When you arrive, take a glance at the surrounding area and seek a white square pillar with a circular pattern. Once you spot it, use the Ascend ability.

You’ll now find yourself in The Lost Woods, looking up at the once-healthy Deku Tree. Enter the trunk and go back to the Depths to do battle against the cause of the Gloom infesting its bark.