How to get to Abyssal Woods in Shadow of The Erdtree
Here's the Abyssal Woods location in Elden Ring and a walkthrough of the key locations within
Wondering how to get to the Abyssal Woods in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree? Possibly the scariest and most intimidating area in the entire Shadow Of The Erdtree DLC is the Abyssal Woods region, a dark, madness-dominated forest filled with enemies that, for the first time in the history of Elden Ring, simply cannot be beaten. A place where Torrent is too scared to assist you, and you must make your way on foot. Intrigued yet?
The path to reach the Abyssal Woods is both well-hidden and extremely convoluted, so if you're having trouble making your way there, don't feel bad - so is half the Elden Ring playerbase. Below, we'll make the job easy for you with our walkthrough of how to get to the Abyssal Woods in Shadow Of The Erdtree, so you can at long last pick up that final map fragment. We've also included an Abyssal Woods walkthrough of key locations like Midra's Mance, the Church Ruins and where to pick up the Aged One's Exultation Talisman, so you don't miss anything important.
In this guide:
Where are the Abyssal Woods in Elden Ring?
The Abyssal Woods are located to the east of the Gravesite Plain and south of Scadu Altus. To enter the Abyssal Woods, you must pass through the Darklight Catacombs in Recluses' River, and defeat the boss there: Jori, Elder Inquisitor. Once this boss is defeated, you can exit through the other side of the Darklight Catacombs dungeon and emerge in the Abyssal Woods.
If you're not sure where the Darklight Catacombs are, we'll guide you to its exact location below. Once you're there, the dungeon involves turning several pitch black areas light again using levers. Otherwise, it's a fairly straightforward dungeon until the end, when you'll face a pretty challenging boss: Jori, Elder Inquisitor, who makes liberal use of summons and teleports to keep you from attacking him head-on.
However, once you defeat Jori, you can follow the path ahead out of the Darklight Catacombs and into the Abyssal Woods, where the first Site Of Grace - the Forsaken Graveyard - will be waiting.
How to get to the Abyssal Woods
The Darklight Catacombs are found at the very southern end of the Recluses' River which cuts through Scadu Altus. To reach it, you must use a secret passage in the Shadow Keep which allows you to reach the Castle Watering Hole Site Of Grace, and head south down the river from there.
This secret passage in the Shadow Keep is located just below the steps in front of the Specimen Storehouse tower. This area is a foyer of sorts, filled with Vulgar Militiamen and funeral boats. You'll get here by following the main route through The Shadow Keep, or by going through the large double doors to the right of the Main Gate Plaza Site Of Grace if you have already unlocked the shortcut here. At the base of the steps leading to the Messmer Knight on the bridge, turn right, and go down the ladder on the left-hand side just after the second boat.
Go through the doorway hidden behind the waterfall next to you, and descend the ladder. Once you get to the room with the painting, turn right and attack the wall to reveal a secret passage within the secret passage. Thanks for that, FromSoftware.
Note: This is actually one of several special paintings in Shadow Of The Erdtree. The painting here is called the Domain of Dragons. If you follow the subject matter of the painting, you'll end up in the Jagged Peak and will be rewarded with the Rock Heart Dragon form. (More on this in our Dragon Communion Priestess guide here).
At the end of this passage, interact with the stone coffin to get inside it. This will transport you to the Castle Watering Hole Site Of Grace, just a stone's throw away from the Ruins of Unte (which is worth a visit if you wish to obtain either the Sword of Night or Sword of Darkness). From there, head south and follow the river all the way south. Just past the Recluses' River Downstream Site Of Grace, you can use the platforms jutting out from the cliffside to parkour down to the lake below which is guarded by two Hippopotamus enemies.
At the far end of the lake, by the waterfall, you can parkour down another section of platforms in the cliff wall to reach the area below. Once you're down there, turn left and hug the cliff wall you just descended, and you'll soon see the entrance to the Darklight Catacombs which bridges Scadu Altus and the Abyssal Woods.
We have an entire Darklight Catacombs walkthrough but essentially, to get through the dungeon you must restore four lights by pulling four separate levers on different levels of the dungeon. As you progress downwards to Jori, watch out for the various Bigmouth Imps that block your way.
Abyssal Woods walkthrough
Once you defeat Jori, you'll be left rather unceremoniously in the Abyssal Woods. This region is as dark as you might expect and filled with Aging Untouchables, seemingly invincible enemies that kill quickly and viciously. Although, there is a way to parry them for a unique Talisman (more on this below). These following areas are the main ones of note to discover within the Abyssal Woods.
Church Ruins
First and foremost, you'll want to collect the Abyssal Woods Map Fragment to make traversal a little easier on yourself. The fragment is located at the Church Ruins, an area you can find by following these steps from the initial area you fought Jori:
- Follow the lake south and rest at the Woodland Trail Site Of Grace.
- Continue southeast along the path and defeat the Madding Hand invader.
- Continue on the path southwards, past the various Madness-afflicted rats and you'll see ruins ahead. The Map Fragment is on the monolith outside these church ruins, there is also a Site Of Grace within.
The Aging Untouchables
Aging Untouchables are the bane of this land. They are seemingly invincible, will quickly inflict Madness buildup until you die, and will teleport to any sound. The safest way to travel in the Abyssal Woods (especially without Torrent) is by sneaking, using the yellow grass as coverage. It is possible, however, to kill these beasts and acquire a unique Talisman as a reward.
If you want to get the Aged One's Exultation Talisman, there is an Aging Untouchable near the Church Ruins you must target. Travel west along the main path from the Church Ruins. The first enemy you see will be the one to target. Parry its attack perfectly, and you'll be able to damage it enough to kill it and pick up the Talisman. All other Aging Untouchables drop Swollen Grapes and a few Runes so it's recommended you sneak the rest of the way through the region.
To parry, you'll need a shield equipped to your off-hand (it must also have the 'Parry' skill listed under the damage type in the inventory description). This will likely take a fair few attempts but luckily, you're near a Site Of Grace.
The Aged One's Exultation Talisman can increase your attack power when Madness status buildup is nearby. As you can imagine, this will be pretty handy in the upcoming fight against the region's boss.
How to find Midra
The Remembrance boss of this region is Midra, Lord of Frenzied Flame. Midra is located in Midra's Manse, a large structure to the southwest of the Abyssal Woods and one of the few areas really worth exploring. To get there from the Woodland Trail Site Of Grace, follow these steps:
- Travel west along the large river.
- Rest at the Abyssal Woods Site Of Grace.
- Turn south and walk, you should see a large white tree on your way.
- Follow the water and pathway as it curves southwest.
- Continue directly west, the area will be shrouded in fog so be careful of the lurking enemies within and try to go stealthily.
- As the fog lifts, continue west past the trees.
- Curve slightly south around the tree line, it will take you upwards and over a pass guarded by two Candle Inquisitors.
- Defeat them or continue, headed south now.
- Follow the main trail south and you should see the large Manse structure in the distance.
Now, you should be ready to explore the Manse and take on Midra. He is located just beyond the Second Floor Chamber Site Of Grace which means you'll naturally need to make your way up the levels of the mansion. Once defeated he will drop 410,000 Runes and the Remembrance of the Lord of Frenzied Flame.
That's all you need to know in order to at long last reach the Abyssal Woods region in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree. We highly recommend you stock up on your Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes before you attempt to take on the Abyssal Woods, because this place is not for the faint of heart. If you're struggling to fill in the rest of the map, check out our similar guide on how to reach the Cerulean Coast, the Cathedral Of Manus Metyr, and the Hinterland.