FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is a game overflowing with secrets, and Elden Ring Runes some of its most breathtaking, lore-rich, and rewarding locations are hidden in plain sight—or completely off the beaten path. These zones are not marked on your map, not hinted at in dialogue, and often require puzzle-solving, NPC quest progression, or sheer curiosity to discover.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through the Top 10 Hidden Areas in Elden Ring you absolutely must explore—whether it’s your first playthrough or your seventh NG+ run. These zones offer incredible gear, deep lore, secret bosses, and unforgettable views that define the Elden Ring experience.
1. Nokron, Eternal City
How to Access: Defeat Starscourge Radahn
Location: South of Siofra River, accessible after Radahn’s fall
Why Explore?
Home to powerful Spirit Ashes like the Mimic Tear
Contains the Night’s Sacred Ground for legendary loot
Rich in lore related to Ranni the Witch
After Radahn’s defeat, a star crashes into the Lands Between, creating a crater south of Mistwood. Descend into the ruins to discover Nokron, a hauntingly beautiful subterranean city with echoes of lost civilizations. It’s central to Ranni’s questline and hides some of the game’s best items and summons.
2. Mohgwyn Palace
How to Access: Complete White-Faced Varre’s questline or use the portal in Consecrated Snowfield
Location: Under Siofra River, accessible via teleport
Why Explore?
Home to Mohg, Lord of Blood
Best rune farming spot in the game
Blood-soaked, haunting atmosphere unlike any other zone
This zone is easily missed if you skip Varre’s quest or don’t find the hidden Consecrated Snowfield portal. Mohgwyn Palace is a grotesque, blood-drenched expanse crawling with Albinaurics and death. It's the go-to for rune farming and offers one of the toughest late-game bosses.
3. Deeproot Depths
How to Access: Hidden path from Nokron or after defeating Valiant Gargoyles
Location: Beneath the Lands Between
Why Explore?
Uncovers Fia’s secret ending
Leads to Lichdragon Fortissax, an optional legendary boss
Surreal tree-suffused landscape with unique enemies
This area connects directly to Fia, Deathbed Companion's storyline. It's also home to one of the game’s legendary dragons. You’ll need to brave some tough platforming and ghost-infested terrain, but the reward is one of the most tragic and deep lore threads in the game.
4. Siofra River
How to Access: Via elevator in Mistwood or Ainsel River Wells
Location: Subterranean
Why Explore?
Site of the Ancestor Spirit boss fight
Gorgeous starlit sky aesthetic
Rich with collectibles and spirit lore
Siofra River is often stumbled upon by accident but remains one of the most visually stunning and peaceful locations. Behind its beauty lies depth—both in verticality and lore—especially if you're following the Hallowhorn Grounds and ancestral worship storyline.
5. Haligtree / Miquella’s Haligtree
How to Access: Solve the puzzle at Ordina, Liturgical Town after finding both Haligtree Medallion halves
Location: Northwest of Consecrated Snowfield
Why Explore?
Contains Malenia, Blade of Miquella, one of the hardest bosses
Possibly the most challenging area in the game
An endgame hidden realm full of Scarlet Rot and elite foes
Miquella’s Haligtree is the ultimate test of your Elden Ring mastery. Hidden behind multiple layers of requirements, it rewards the persistent with beautiful visuals, powerful loot, and the game’s most iconic boss. Bring rot resistance—and your best summons.
6. Ainsel River
How to Access: Elevator near Renna’s Rise or Ainsel River Well
Location: Underground zone linked to Ranni’s quest
Why Explore?
Home to Baleful Shadow and Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
Essential for unlocking Ranni’s alternate ending
Cosmic horror themes and alien architecture
This Lovecraftian area features gravity-defying ruins, glowing crystals, and an unforgettable cosmic boss fight. Ranni’s storyline takes you through Ainsel River, but you can also reach it independently. A must for fans of Eldritch aesthetics.
7. Volcano Manor Interior
How to Access: Join Volcano Manor or get captured by an Abductor Virgin in Raya Lucaria
Location: Mt. Gelmir
Why Explore?
Contains Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
Ties into Tanith and assassination questlines
Lava-filled horror mansion with hidden rooms
Many players only scratch the surface of Volcano Manor, missing its extensive underground and upper corridors. Exploring its secrets unveils new assassination targets, loot chests, and even access to powerful serpent-themed weapons.
8. Subterranean Shunning Grounds
How to Access: Found beneath Leyndell Royal Capital
Location: Hidden within the Capital’s sewers
Why Explore?
Houses the Frenzied Flame ending
Leads to Mogh, the Omen and other brutal bosses
Oppressive sewer labyrinth full of Omen enemies
This underground hellscape is claustrophobic and terrifying, but crucial for unlocking the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending. Expect maze-like design, platforming challenges, and some of the most disturbing imagery in the game. Keep your torch lit—and your sanity intact.
9. Sellia, Town of Sorcery
How to Access: Northeast Caelid, near the swamp
Location: Hidden behind magical seals and puzzles
Why Explore?
Puzzle town with invisible walls and hidden paths
Access to Nox bosses and important lore
Progresses Millicent’s questline
This dilapidated town is filled with sealed doors, vanishing walkways, and arcane trickery. Lighting the braziers scattered across the rooftops is the key to unlocking its secrets. It also serves as a gateway to other hidden areas in northern Caelid.
10. Yelough Anix Ruins (Consecrated Snowfield)
How to Access: Consecrated Snowfield, southwest area
Location: Deep western edge of the snowy expanse
Why Explore?
Home to a mysterious spacecraft and the Putrid Avatar
Ties into the Outer Gods lore
One of the most remote, eerie zones in the game
Many players bypass this quiet ruin while heading toward Ordina, but it hides a disturbing mystery and the eerie remnants of alien influence. It's also part of an endgame rune farming circuit and optional boss hub.
Honorable Mentions
Fringefolk Hero’s Grave (Tutorial area revisited with Stonesword Key)
Dragonbarrow Cave (Caelid’s hidden bear and rune farming zone)
Caria Manor Secret Garden (Unlocked via Ranni’s questline)
Nameless Eternal City Zone near Nokstella (Still debated, possibly added in future DLC)
Final Thoughts
Elden Ring is a game that rewards exploration like no other. While the main path is filled with challenges and wonder, the hidden zones are where the true depth lies. Whether you're hunting powerful weapons, uncovering lore endings, or facing off against optional god-tier bosses, these ten hidden areas are essential to fully experiencing the world of the Lands Between.
So light your torch, equip your best talismans, and dive into the Elden Ring Items buy unknown—these secret locations are not just optional, they’re unforgettable.
