Elden Ring: 10 Hidden Areas You Probably Missed (and What’s Inside)

Elden Ring is a world that rewards curiosity. Illusory walls, misleading cliffs, and tucked-away teleporters hide entire zones packed with rare loot, unique bosses, and lore threads that reframe the Lands Between. Below are ten genuinely hidden (and actually reachable) areas with clear, step-by-step directions, recommended levels, and why each spot is worth your time. Everything is written to be practical: you can open this guide while you play and follow along.

1) Hidden Path to the Haligtree (and the Silver Scarab)

Where it is: The dungeon between the Grand Lift of Rold and the Consecrated Snowfield
Recommended: Level 90+; a torch and patience

How to reach it, step by step

1. Collect both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion.
   • Right half: talk to Albus (disguised as a pot) in the Village of the Albinaurics (Liurnia) and open the nearby chest.
   • Left half: defeat Commander Niall in Castle Sol (Mountaintops of the Giants) and loot the medallion in the rooftop tower.

2. Go to the Grand Lift of Rold and choose “Hoist secret medallion.”

3. You’ll arrive in the Hidden Path to the Haligtree—a deceptive catacomb using invisible bridges and illusory walls.

4. From the first big invisible bridge, angle left to an upper ledge with a doorway; work through side rooms until you reach a chest containing the Silver Scarab talisman.

Why it matters
Silver Scarab boosts item discovery, which directly increases drop chances for rare weapons/armor while farming. The dungeon also opens the route to the Consecrated Snowfield, the entry to Miquella’s Haligtree—one of the hardest late-game zones.

2) Abandoned Cave (Golden Scarab Talisman)

Where it is: Caelid, across a ravine east of the Smoldering Wall
Recommended: Level 50–70; Preserving Boluses or Flame, Cleanse Me

How to reach it, step by step

1. From Smoldering Wall Site of Grace (Caelid), face east toward a rot-filled ravine.

2. Look for a narrow tree trunk acting as a bridge across the gap; cross carefully.

3. Enter the Abandoned Cave. Expect pervasive Scarlet Rot pools.

4. The boss is a Twin Cleanrot Knight duo. Defeat them to earn the Golden Scarab.

Why it matters
Golden Scarab boosts rune gain, accelerating leveling and build experimentation. It’s one of the single most impactful talismans for character progression.

3) Sealed Tunnel (Backdoor to the Divine Tower of West Altus)

Where it is: Altus Plateau, west-southwest of Leyndell’s outer walls
Recommended: Level 80–90; bring a hammer for illusory walls

How to reach it, step by step

1. From Outer Wall Phantom Tree (Altus), ride west toward a lake with ruined structures; hug the southern cliff line.

2. Find the Sealed Tunnel entrance. Inside, almost every wall of interest is illusory—hit suspicious stone panels and crates.

3. Proceed through multiple fake walls and a lift down to the boss, Onyx Lord.

4. Defeating him opens the path outside to the base of the Divine Tower of West Altus (the tower’s entrance itself is reached from the exterior ledge path nearby).

Why it matters
It’s a classic FromSoftware trick dungeon and a key route to end-game tower content tied to Altus shardbearer lore.

4) Sellia Hideaway (Crystalians and Primeval Sorcerer Lusat)

Where it is: Behind an illusory rock wall north-west of Sellia, Town of Sorcery (Caelid)
Recommended: Level 60–80; magic users bring Rock Sling/Strike damage

How to reach it, step by step

1. From Church of the Plague, ride north-west along the cliffs until you find a tombstone cluster facing a rock wall.

2. Hit the rock wall to reveal the cave Sellia Hideaway.

3. Progress through multiple illusion walls and crystal tunnels; watch for drop-through platforms.

4. Mid-to-late cave, you can meet Primeval Sorcerer Lusat (for Sellen’s questline) and eventually face the Crystalians (Trio) boss.

Why it matters
It’s a dense, puzzle-like cave with valuable Smithing materials and quest progression for sorcerers. Strike damage ruins Crystalian poise—plan gear accordingly.

5) Sage’s Cave (Multiple Illusory Walls and Treasure Rooms)

Where it is: Altus Plateau, west side near the waterfall north of Abandoned Coffin
Recommended: Level 70–80; a torch and keen eyes

How to reach it, step by step

1. From Abandoned Coffin Site of Grace (Altus Plateau), move northwest to a waterfall basin.

2. Enter Sage’s Cave hidden in the cliff behind the falls.

3. Inside are layered illusory walls concealing treasure rooms; keep swinging at dead ends.

4. Boss fights are Necromancer Garris and a Black Knife Assassin variant.

Why it matters
A classic “loot box” dungeon with legendary chests tucked behind fake walls. Great mid-game gear check and rune boost.

6) Jarburg (The Cliff-side Village of Living Jars)

Where it is: Liurnia, on terraces below the eastern cliffs south of the Carian Study Hall
Recommended: Any level; non-hostile area

How to reach it, step by step

1. From the road along Liurnia’s eastern cliffs, find a spot where you can drop down safe ledges forming a “staircase” of ruins (south of Carian Study Hall).

2. Descend carefully—use Rainbow Stones to gauge survivable drops.

3. You’ll land in Jarburg, a peaceful hamlet of Living Jars.

4. Speak with Jar-Bairn to start a small but heartfelt questline.

Why it matters
Jarburg is easy to miss and rich in unique dialogue and crafting materials. It’s also a calm breather between high-intensity zones and ties into Diallos’s quest.

7) War-Dead Catacombs (After the Radahn Festival)

Where it is: North-east edge of the Redmane Castle beach arena (Caelid)
Recommended: Level 70–90; high physical/bleed resistance

How to reach it, step by step

1. After defeating General Radahn (Redmane Castle Festival), explore the far north-east rim of the now-quiet battlefield.

2. Look for a foggy doorway set into the cliff—this is the War-Dead Catacombs.

3. Inside is a brutal gauntlet of spectral soldiers and archers; move deliberately and bait enemies into chokepoints.

4. Boss is a Putrid Tree Spirit—Fire damage and rot mitigation help.

Why it matters
Rare Spirit Ashes and Grave/ Ghost Glovewort farming, plus the satisfaction of uncovering a dungeon practically everyone sprints past during the spectacle of Radahn.

8) Bestial Sanctum Early-Game Teleporter (Third Church of Marika)

Where it is: Sending Gate behind the Third Church of Marika (Limgrave)
Recommended: Early game, but enemies at destination are late-game tough

How to reach it, step by step

1. From Third Church of Marika (Limgrave), walk north-east along the water behind the church.

2. Find the glowing Sending Gate hidden in the brush.

3. Use it to warp to Bestial Sanctum in Dragonbarrow (Caelid).

4. Activate the Site of Grace, speak to Gurranq, and carefully farm the nearby Greyoll’s Dragonbarrow for high-value runes (from safer enemies like smaller beasts/guards). Avoid the Black Blade Kindred until stronger.

Why it matters
A clever progression skip for early rune farming and a head start on Deathroot turn-ins for Bestial incantations.

9) Four Belfries Portals (Return to the Chapel of Anticipation)

Where it is: Western Liurnia, hill of four towers called The Four Belfries
Recommended: Level 40–70 depending on portal

How to reach it, step by step

1. Climb to The Four Belfries; open the topmost chest for 1× Imbued Sword Key (additional keys can be found elsewhere, but you only need one to start).

2. Each belfry portal’s message hints at its destination. The most rewarding early pick is the gate labeled something like “Precipice of Anticipation.”

3. Spend your Imbued Sword Key at that specific portal to return to the Chapel of Anticipation—your starting area.

4. Rematch the Grafted Scion and explore the cliffs for extra loot (e.g., Ornamental Straight Sword/Golden Beast Crest Shield, depending on route).

Why it matters
A full-circle secret that lets you reclaim what the prologue stole, plus a great venue for testing new builds against the Scion.

10) Path to Dragonlord Placidusax (Crumbling Farum Azula)

Where it is: Hidden arena beneath Farum Azula’s swirling ruins
Recommended: Level 110+; high Lightning resist; Torrent unavailable

How to reach it, step by step

1. From Beside the Great Bridge Site of Grace (Crumbling Farum Azula), go down the lift (toward the dragon temple) and outside to the tornado-lashed platforms.

2. Work your way to a long curved, broken pathway with coffins and fallen debris (a common landmark is passing the dragon-worshipping beastmen on balconies).

3. Look for a section where the stone path narrows to a dead end over the cloudsea. There are two specific drop-offs to lower, invisible platforms—line up, walk off, and you’ll land safely.

4. After two careful drops, you’ll reach a field of ancient stone coffins. Interact with the obvious spot among them to “lie down.”

5. A cutscene drops you into the arena of Dragonlord Placidusax.

Why it matters
A spectacular hidden legend boss with unique rewards (incantations and remembrance) and one of the game’s most cinematic fights.

Bonus: Mohgwyn Palace via Consecrated Snowfield Portal (Alternate Access)

Where it is: Consecrated Snowfield, western cliffs among Albinauric camps
Recommended: Level 90+; heavy bleed resistance

How to reach it, step by step

1. In the Consecrated Snowfield, ride west across the blizzard flats until you locate Albinaurics gathered around blood-red flora.

2. Behind them on a cliff is a hidden teleporter. Activate it to warp directly to Mohgwyn Palace without completing Varre’s quest.

3. Hug the right-hand slopes to find a Site of Grace and safe farming loops.

4. Use the area’s dense enemy packs for runes and materials; avoid the Lord until you’re ready.

Why it matters
An extremely efficient late-game farming zone accessible early once you’ve reached the Snowfield, plus access to one of the most atmospheric areas in Elden Ring.

Practical Exploration Tips for Finding More Secrets

Trust odd geometry and lighting. Irregular stone stacks, candles that don’t match the room, and mossy panels are prime illusory wall candidates.
Use Rainbow Stones when cliff-hopping. If a stone shatters on landing, the drop is unsafe; if it survives, the drop is doable.
Read and triangulate messages. “Try jumping” near a ledge or “Hidden path ahead” beside a plain wall are often sincere in Elden Ring, especially when multiple messages point to the same spot.
Bring the right status tools. Preserving Boluses for rot, Stanching Boluses for bleed, Neutralizing Boluses for poison, and Fire Grease for crusty boss hides reduce frustration dramatically.
Carry a blunt option. Maces/hammers trivialize Crystalians and certain armored foes that shrug off slashing.
Mark your map. When you hit a progress wall (gear, levels, or key items), drop a beacon and return later—many of these hidden areas blossom in value once another questline advances.