How to Get Through the Lost Woods in Zelda: BOTW

Safely make your way to Korok Forest

By Robert Earl Wells III
Updated on March 29, 2021
Reviewed by
Jessica Kormos
Jessica Kormos
Reviewed by Jessica Kormos
  • Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others.
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Before you can find Korok Village and obtain the Master Sword, you'll need to know how to get through the Lost Woods in BOTW.

Information in this article applies to Zelda: Breath of the Wild for Nintendo Switch and Wii U.

How to Get Through the Lost Woods

As soon as you enter the Lost Woods, you’ll be shrouded in a thick fog. The only way out is to teleport or to make your way to Korok Forest.

  1. Walk straight ahead and through an archway, then turn right when you get to a lantern.

    Entrance to The Lost Woods in Zelda: Breath of the Wild

  2. Pay attention to which direction the embers of the flame are blowing, then walk in that direction until you find another torch.

    Link runs toward a torch in Zelda: Breath of the Wild

    If you notice the fog getting thicker, you're heading in the wrong direction.

  3. Keep following the embers of the flames until you reach a torch and two lanterns.

    Link stands between two torches in Zelda: BOTW

  4. Light the torch, then look at the embers emitting from the flame to see which direction they are blowing.

    Link lights a torch in Zelda: BOTW

    If you lose the torch, cut down a tree branch, or use any other type of wood to carry the flame.

  5. Use the blowing wind as your guide, stopping regularly to see if it has changed direction. When you're going the right way, the wind will be behind you, and the embers will be pointing straight ahead.

    If you get off track, you'll end up back at the area with the two lanterns.

  6. When the fog begins to clear, you'll know that you're almost there. Take the path between the two rock faces to reach Kork Forest.

    Korok Forest in Zelda: BOTW

What's in the Lost Wood?

The whole reason for getting through the Lost Woods is to find Korok Forest, which is home to the Master Sword, three shrines, and a few other side quests. The Master Sword is one of the best weapons in Zelda: BOTW, but you must sacrifice 13 heart containers to wield it.

The Master Sword in Zelda BOTW

Make sure you activate the Shrines in Korok Forest so that you can fast-travel back without going through the Lost Woods again.

How to Get to the Lost Woods in BOTW

You can see the Lost Woods on the map north of Woodland Tower. Unless you have Revali's Gale, you can't glide into the Lost Woods from the top of the tower due to a large rock obstructing your path, so you'll have to walk. Follow the path covered in trees until you reach the entrance gate. Once inside the Lost Woods, the map will be of no use.

Woodland Tower south of the Lost Woods in Zelda: BOTW
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