Shadow of the Erdtree is enormous, and FromSoft buried its best rewards in places the map refuses to highlight. If you want to find every secret location in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, this guide points you straight to them — no vague directions, no hand-waving.
1. The Fog Rift Catacombs Hidden Entrance
Most players sprint past the cliff face south of the Gravesite Plain Site of Grace. Don't. There's a cracked wall you can roll through, dropping you into a mini-catacomb with a Ghost-Glovewort Picker's Bell Bearing [2] and a talisman that boosts jump attacks. You can also check out our best class for solo players guide to make exploring these tight zones easier.
2. Midra's Manse Basement Library
Once you've cleared Midra's Manse, the main hall looks empty. It's not. Hit the bookshelf in the back-left corner to reveal a staircase leading to a Forgotten Greatsword and a +8 Somber Smithing Stone. Pair that with advice from our weapons tier list to see if it's worth upgrading.
3. The Secret Path Behind the Belurat Waterfall
At the base of Belurat's central waterfall, attack the rocks on the right side. They crumble, opening a path to a Scadutree Fragment and a boss-adjacent item most players completely miss. For a smoother run through Belurat, brush up on your PC performance settings first.
4. Scorpion River Catacombs Illusory Wall
Inside the Scorpion River dungeon, the final room looks like a dead end. Strike the back wall — it's fake. Behind it: the Death Knight's Twin Axes, one of the strongest strength weapons in the DLC. If you need to respec for a strength build, our performance guide also covers how to keep your framerate stable while you experiment.
5. The Hidden Gravesite Near Jar Bairn
Talk to Jar Bairn, then head northwest past the Commune until you see a lone tree. Behind it is a small fenced area with the Companion Jar Talisman. It's tiny, unmarked, and almost everyone walks by it. For similar hidden loot in other Souls-style games, check out our team composition guide for Black Myth: Wukong.
6. Dragon Mountain's Peak Summit Chest
Most players fight the dragon at the foot of the mountain and leave. The real secret is climbing to the very top. There's a Dragonbolt Blessing +2 tucked behind a pillar. It's a long, brutal climb, but worth every second. If you want to learn how to level up faster for the journey, read our fast leveling guide.
7. The Scadu Altus Underground Jail
In southern Scadu Altus, look for a well with no ladder. Drop in. You'll find an O Mother Gestured Ash of War and a key for a locked door three zones away. Bring a torch — it's pitch black. For a full breakdown of all underground areas, browse our guides section.
8. Enir-Ilim's Back-Room NPC
After clearing Enir-Ilim, the cathedral looks empty. Enter through the side door on the right balcony, not the main entrance. A non-hostile NPC named St. Trina is waiting with a critical quest item. Many players never meet her because they leave the moment the boss dies. For a broader look at hidden NPCs, our RPG coverage has you covered.
9. The Abandoned Merchant's Cave in Cerulean Coast
South of the Cerulean Coast grace, there's a cave entrance blocked by a single illusory rock. Inside: a merchant who sells DLC-exclusive cookbooks and the Enraged Divine Beast Fists. The fight to reach her is short but punishing. To optimize your character for it, check our PC builds library and grab the right gear before you go.
10. Ancient Dragon-Man's Hidden Corpse
Defeat Ancient Dragon-Man, then look at the far wall of the arena. It's breakable. Behind it: the Ancient Dragon-Man's Head helmet and a Remembrance duplication item. Official patch notes confirm this is intended, per the official Elden Ring site.
Final Tips for Hunting Secrets
Three rules to follow: hit every suspicious wall, talk to every NPC twice, and never fast-travel until you've physically re-checked a zone. Most hidden content in Shadow of the Erdtree is gated by observation, not stats. For more Souls-style exploration advice, our reviews hub has deep dives into similar games like Black Myth: Wukong. Good hunting, Tarnished.