How to get through the Lost Woods in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The Lost Woods in past Zelda games has usually had players find a secret route to make it through, but in Tears of the Kingdom, you need to use a bit of initiative and some of your new tools. Thankfully the reward at the end of the Lost Woods is more than worth it, and the overall process isn't too long despite what it might seem when you're playing the game.

So, check out the rest of this guide below if you're looking to navigate through the Lost Woods in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, as we've got a full step-by-step guide waiting for you.

How to solve the Lost Woods puzzle

In order to get through the Lost Woods in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you must go into the depths and use the Ascend rune ability underneath Korok Forest.

We certainly don't blame you if you were stuck at the entrance gate, repeatedly running into the fog trying to figure out what to do, but of course, the solution requires you to use the new dimension of Hyrule introduced in TOTK.

Make sure to follow our step-by-step guide below to see how to complete the Lost Woods puzzle in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom:

• You'll want to first head to the Minshi Woods Chasm, which is just to the south of the Lost Woods at the map coordinates 1037, 1674, 0162.
• Place a mark around the centre of the Lost Woods on your map with a pin, and jump down the Chasm.
• Make your way west towards the marker that you just placed, and there should be a group of three Lightroots that you can activate.
• After activating these three Lightroots you should be able to see the Korok Grove area in the Depths on your map. This is found roughly at the map coordinates 0422, 2114, -0593.

• Head to the Rikonasum Lightroot that you should have just activated and there should be a large stone tower with lights surrounding it that you can stand under.
• Use Ascend underneath this tower to rise up into Korok Forest, clearing the Lost Woods puzzle in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

As you can see, finding your way through the Lost Woods in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom isn't too difficult, but just requires a clever use of one of your new Rune Abilities and a little underground adventuring.

What is at the end of the Lost Woods?

Once you've made it through the Lost Woods in TOTK you will get to Korok Forest, which is the home of the Koroks and the Deku Tree. This is a rather important story area and a location that has been present within almost all games in the Zelda series.

It is within this area that you will find out more details about recovering the Master Sword, and you will also be able to pick up plenty of quests from the various Koroks that call it home.

However, the first time that you visit Korok Forest will be slightly different, as it has been taken over with darkness due to the Upheaval. Make sure to carry on reading below to find out how to clear the gloom from Korok Forest.

How to clear the gloom from Korok Forest

In order to clear the gloom from Korok Forest, you will need to defeat both the Gloom Hands and Phantom Ganon at the base of the Deku Tree.

You will first want to head into the Deku Tree in Korok Forest and find the Goddess Statue at the map coordinates 0418, 2176, 0153. There should be a hole in the floor just to the right and behind the statue, and you will want to head down there to reach the bottom of the Deku Tree Chasm.

Make sure that you're prepared with your best armour, weapons, and plenty of arrow-boosting items like Bomb Flowers or Puffshrooms, as both of these bosses can be a real challenge.

You might even want to respec your Hearts and Stamina to ensure you've got as many as possible, or cook some of the best recipes in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to get some combat-aiding boosts alongside handy HP regen.

How to defeat Gloom Hands

Gloom Hands is the first boss that you will find at the base of the Deku Tree, and they will spawn as soon as you get near the floor.

Make sure that you're gliding near the base of the Chasm, and draw your bow as soon as they start to spawn. You will want to use Fuse to attach a Puffshroom to your arrow and fire it in their direction so that they cannot see you.

Then, unload as many Bomb Flower arrows as you have in your inventory into the Gloom Hands to take them down. You will want to do this quickly as they can respawn if you take your time.

It took us around six to seven bomb flowers to take them down, but it can be more if you don't hit your shots right.

Phantom Ganon will spawn shortly after you take down the Gloom Hands, so make sure you're prepared as this is where the real battle begins.

Thankfully you won't need to do the Gloom Hands again if you die to Phantom Ganon, as the latter will be waiting for you at the bottom if you need to return to the area.

How to defeat Phantom Ganon

The two most important things you'll need to defeat Phantom Ganon in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom are a shield and a one-handed weapon. Phantom Ganon hits incredibly hard and also inflicts Gloom upon each hit, so taking a risk with a two-handed weapon is advised against in this fight - even if the damage is much higher.

Thankfully he has quite a limited move set that has fairly obvious tells for each move, so as long as you make sure that you've got your shield up just before he attacks you should be all OK.

Do be wary that status effects like freeze or shock will not affect Phantom Ganon, but they will interrupt any attack or action he is currently taking. This is handy if he is advancing on you and you need some space, but it overall isn't the best strategy.

This fight might take a while depending on your weapon strength, and you might need to come back at a later point with better gear and more hearts, but it is well worth the reward once you beat it.

After finishing off Phantom Ganon, the last thing that you will want to do is speak to the Deku Tree, as he has a little surprise quest waiting for you.

If you're loving Zelda right now though, make sure to check out our dedicated game page for all of the latest news and guides, as we've got everything you'll need.