Heading into the Woodland region for the first time? It’s one of the most atmospheric corners of Hyrule, and one of the easiest places to get turned around. Fog, hidden paths and a forest that sends you back if you take a wrong turn all slow you down.
There’s no wrong way to approach this, so take it at your own pace. This guide covers where the region sits, the Woodland Tower, how to get through the Lost Woods, and the quests worth doing on the way to Korok Forest.
Woodland Region Overview
The Woodland region covers the Great Hyrule Forest in northern Hyrule, northeast of Hyrule Castle. It is home to the Lost Woods and, hidden at their center, Korok Forest with the Great Deku Tree and the Master Sword.
| Stop | Why visit |
|---|---|
| Woodland Tower | Fills in the regional map |
| Woodland Stable | Rest, register horses, Balloon Flight side quest |
| Mirro Shaz Shrine | A shrine close to the stable |
| Lost Woods | The foggy maze that guards Korok Forest |
| Korok Forest | Great Deku Tree, Master Sword, Korok trials and shrines |
Lore Connection: This random detail actually connects to the bigger story. The Lost Woods are not just scenery. The fog exists to keep strangers away from the Great Deku Tree and the Master Sword resting beside him, which is why it turns you around when you stray.
Climbing the Woodland Tower
The Woodland Tower stands in the Great Hyrule Forest, not far from the Woodland Stable. Expect enemies around its base, so decide early whether you want to sneak or fight.
- Easiest method: Revali’s Gale. Once you have freed Divine Beast Vah Medoh, it launches you high into the air so you can skip most of the climb.
- Stealth: Crouch and circle the enemies, then climb the side facing away from them.
- Combat: Clear the area first if you want the loot and a calm climb. It also makes the area safer when you come back later.
Take Your Time: Climb the tower before the Lost Woods. A filled in map makes the fog much less stressful.
Getting Through the Lost Woods
The Lost Woods sit at the heart of the forest, a short trip from the Woodland Tower along the road. Once you are inside, a lit torch stands under the archway near the entrance. Those torches are your guide.
- Step 1: Get off your horse. Horses are a pain in the fog.
- Step 2: Stand by the first torch and watch which way its embers drift. Walk that way until you reach the next torch stand.
- Step 3: Repeat at every torch. If the fog suddenly thickens and the screen darkens, you are going the wrong way. Turn back right away or you get sent to the entrance.
- Step 4: Near the end of the torch line, two torches stand in front of a large tree. Grab the unlit torch leaning on one of the stands, or use any wooden weapon, and light it.
- Step 5: From here there are no more torch stands. Hold your lit torch, stand still, watch the direction the embers fly, and walk that way. Repeat until you break out into Korok Forest.
(Pro tip: Rain puts torches out, so if the weather turns, wait it out at the edge of the fog before you try the last stretch.)
Side Quests Worth Your Time
Balloon Flight (Woodland Stable)
- Step 1: Talk to Shamae, a little girl at the Woodland Stable, during the day. She wants to see a barrel fly like a balloon.
- Step 2: Get at least two Octo Balloons. Octoroks drop them, and Beedle sells them at some stables.
- Step 3: Drop or attach both balloons to one of the barrels next to her. Watch it float up.
- Step 4: Talk to Shamae again for your reward: a Star Fragment.
Lore Connection: Shamae dreams of flying to a land in the sky and riding a big bird, a sweet nod to Skyward Sword.
The Test of Wood (Korok Forest)
This is the hardest of the Korok Trials, and it unlocks Maag Halan Shrine.
- Step 1: Find Damia on the eastern edge of Korok Forest and accept the trial.
- Step 2: He hands you Korok gear: a sword, bow and shield. You need a free slot in each of those inventories.
- Step 3: Make your way back through the woods to the shrine. If any Korok gear breaks or you unequip it, you fail and start over.
- Step 4: Use Remote Bombs and your bow to deal with enemies, and avoid melee when you can. Watch for fire, since burning gear counts as broken.
Easily missable, so heads up: once you finish, Damia lets you replay the Test of Wood as a timed minigame for a 20 Rupee deposit.
Rewards Checklist
- Checklist: Woodland Tower activated, regional map revealed.
- Checklist: Star Fragment from Balloon Flight.
- Checklist: Maag Halan Shrine from the Test of Wood.
- Checklist: Korok Forest unlocked, with the Great Deku Tree and the Master Sword. You need 13 full heart containers to pull the sword.
- Checklist: Plenty of Korok seeds. Our Woodland Stable Korok seeds guide covers the ones near the stable.
Woodland Region FAQ
Where is the Woodland region in Breath of the Wild?
In northern Hyrule, northeast of Hyrule Castle, covering the Great Hyrule Forest, the Lost Woods and Korok Forest.
How do you get through the Lost Woods?
Follow the direction the embers drift from each torch. Where the torches end, light your own torch and keep following its embers.
What does Balloon Flight give you?
A Star Fragment from Shamae at the Woodland Stable, after you make a barrel float with two Octo Balloons.
How do you pass the Test of Wood?
Reach Maag Halan Shrine without breaking or unequipping the Korok sword, bow or shield Damia gives you.
One more thing before you move on: the walk into Korok Forest is one of those moments worth slowing down for. Tower first, fog second, quests third. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
