Let me paint the picture: you are standing on top of the Lookout Landing Skyview Tower, and right in front of you is Hyrule Castle, lifted off its foundations, chunks of it hanging in the sky, Gloom seeping out underneath. Every instinct says to jump.
I’m not gonna lie, this is one of my favorite places in Tears of the Kingdom. Here is how to get in, what to grab and what the main quest throws at you.
Hyrule Castle at a Glance
So here’s the deal: unlike Breath of the Wild, the castle is not one big ruined dungeon you clear top to bottom. Part of it sits on the ground, part of it floats above, and there is a lot of space in between.
- Ground level: the gatehouses, the Guards’ Chamber and the docks on the castle’s north side.
- Floating castle: the main keep with the Sanctum, the Library and Princess Zelda’s room.
- Below: a huge chasm under the castle drops into the Depths. That route matters for the endgame, so save it for later.
- Enemies: expect tough stuff, including black and silver tier monsters, Gibdos, Like Likes and Gloom Hands.
How to Get Into Hyrule Castle
You have two good ways in, and you can use either before the story officially sends you there.
Glide In From Lookout Landing
- Launch: use the Lookout Landing Skyview Tower to shoot up into the sky.
- Glide: aim for the floating part of the castle. On a basic stamina wheel it is a stretch, so carry stamina food or elixirs and eat mid-glide if you start to run low.
- Land high: touch down on the upper keep. From there you can drop to anything below.
(Pro tip: a Glide Suit or a couple of extra stamina vessels make this trip easy. If you are short on both, a stamina elixir does the job. Our cooking and elixir guide has the recipes.)
Walk In at Ground Level
On the ground, follow the path from the main gate and look for a doorway at the bottom of the wall on the southwest side. It leads into the Guards’ Chamber, and the Royal Guard Uniform chest sits on a broken upper ledge inside, across a gap near the Gloom. Climb or Ascend up to it.
The Best Loot in Hyrule Castle
This is where it gets WILD. The castle hides a full set of Royal gear plus two of the best early pieces in the game.
| Item | Where |
|---|---|
| Hylian Shield | Hyrule Castle Docks. Gloom Hands ambush you there; fight them or wait them out, then light the big brazier |
| Champion’s Leathers | The Sanctum, light the two braziers by the throne |
| Royal Guard Uniform | Guards’ Chamber (southwest ground entrance), on a broken upper ledge |
| Royal Guard Cap | Princess Zelda’s room, behind a divider in the northwest corner |
| Royal Guard Boots | The Library, behind a bookcase you move with Ultrahand |
| Royal Bow | Top floor of the Second Gatehouse tower |
| Royal Halberd | Lowest floor of the Second Gatehouse, north side |
How to Get the Hylian Shield
The Hylian Shield is the strongest shield in the game, with a base Defense of 90. It sits in the Hyrule Castle Docks on the castle’s north side.
- Getting there by water: head to the Castle Town Prison island west of the castle, build a raft with a fan and a steering stick, and sail along the north side until you find a small cave leading into the inner docks.
- Getting there from above: you can also glide down from the floating castle or come in over the moat.
- The fight: climb the stairs inside the docks and Gloom Hands appear. Beat them and a Phantom Ganon may show up. You can also just sprint past.
- The payoff: at the top, light the large brazier surrounded by torches. Dip an arrow in one of the lit torches and shoot it. A chest appears with the shield inside.
Look, I get it, Gloom Hands are terrifying early on. Bomb Flower arrows into the middle of the group clear them fast. Our Fuse guide explains how to attach materials to arrows.
How to Get the Champion’s Leathers
Head to the Sanctum, the throne room in the central keep. Two unlit braziers sit at the foot of the throne. Light both (Fire Fruit, flint or a fire arrow all work) and the statue behind the throne slides away, revealing a chest with the Champion’s Leathers.
Lore Deep Dive: this also completes the side quest “A New Champion’s Tunic,” which you normally pick up from Zelda’s diary in Hateno. The devs hid this in plain sight: Zelda tells you where her gift is, but you can stumble into it first.
Crisis at Hyrule Castle: The Main Quest
The story pulls you here after you finish all four Regional Phenomena and report back to Purah at Lookout Landing. A Blood Moon rises, Zelda is spotted at the castle, and you head up to find her.
- Chasing Zelda: you follow her up through the castle. Each time you catch up, she vanishes and monsters pour in.
- Use your Sages: with all four Sage abilities active, your allies split the enemy waves and keep you alive.
- The finale: it ends in a fight against Phantom Ganons in the Sanctum: two waves of five, ten in total, with a Heart Container at the end.
Bring your best weapons, meals and plenty of arrows. It is not the final battle, but it is close.
Pro Tips Before You Go
- Get the shield early: the Hylian Shield makes every later fight easier. Grab it before the main quest if you can.
- Bring fire: half of the castle’s secrets involve lighting a brazier. Fire Fruit and a few torches cover you.
- Use Ascend: the keep is full of overhangs and floors stacked on top of each other. Ascend gets you up fast.
- Gloom is no joke: Gloom damage breaks your maximum hearts for a while. Sundelions and sunny dishes restore them, so carry a few if you fight near the red stuff.
- Map it: our TOTK interactive map helps you keep track of chests across all the levels.
Hyrule Castle FAQ
How do you get into Hyrule Castle in Tears of the Kingdom?
Launch from the Lookout Landing Skyview Tower and glide to the floating keep, or walk in through the doorway on the southwest side of the ground level castle.
Where is the Hylian Shield in Tears of the Kingdom?
In the Hyrule Castle Docks on the north side. Light the large brazier after the Gloom Hands and a chest appears with the shield.
Can you go to Hyrule Castle early?
Yes. You can explore it and loot most of it before Crisis at Hyrule Castle starts. Just expect strong enemies.
How do you get the Champion’s Leathers?
Light the two braziers at the foot of the throne in the Sanctum. The statue moves and reveals the chest.
When does Crisis at Hyrule Castle start?
After you finish all four Regional Phenomena and report back to Purah at Lookout Landing.
The Payoff: when I first dropped in, I spent ages just wandering the broken halls and floating chunks before I even looked for loot. Take your time, grab the Hylian Shield and the Champion’s Leathers, and then come back when Zelda calls. The worldbuilding here is next level.
