Key takeaways
- The surface is not normally scorching Flame Guard is mainly required for the lava-filled caves and tunnels, not for climbing the open mountain.
- The main-story route begins at Death Mountain West Site A mine cart and Fan let Link use the railway towards the summit, although the ordinary road from Goron City and the Bridge of Eldin also works.
- Moragia is a one-time boss encounter It appears during Yunobo of Goron City and is fought from a flying Zonai vehicle with Yunobo’s rolling attack.
- Death Mountain Chasm is initially story-gated It becomes a practical entrance to the Depths after Moragia is defeated.
- The east side contains the Death Caldera Crystal quest This involves the Death Mountain East Tunnel, an Igneo Talus and the Momosik Shrine.
- The west side contains The Abandoned Laborer Mota is trapped in the Death Mountain West Tunnel and can be launched out using the broken mine-cart railway.
About this guide
Scope: This guide covers Death Mountain proper in the base game of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, together with its directly named attached locations: Death Mountain Chasm, Death Mountain West Site, Death Mountain West Tunnel, Death Mountain East Tunnel, Death Mountain Foothill Cave, the summit railway and the crater area. Excluded as separate neighbouring locations: Goron City, Eldin Canyon, YunoboCo HQ, the Southern Mine, Bedrock Bistro, Goron Hot Springs and the wider Eldin Canyon Depths. These places are closely connected to Death Mountain’s story and routes, but they are distinct locations in the game’s location hierarchy.
Overview
Death Mountain is the great volcanic landmark of Eldin in Tears of the Kingdom. Unlike its fiery, continuously erupting presentation in Breath of the Wild, the mountain is largely dormant when Link first returns to Hyrule. Its surface is cool enough to explore without Flame Guard, while the lava-filled tunnels and caves beneath its outer slopes remain dangerously hot.
The mountain is the setting for the Eldin branch of the Regional Phenomena storyline. Link reaches its summit with Yunobo, confronts the colossal Moragia, and enters the newly formed Death Mountain Chasm, which leads to the Depths and ultimately the Fire Temple. The mountain also contains two important cave-based activities, a shrine quest involving an Igneo Talus, a trapped Goron side quest, mine-cart railways, Korok puzzles and several useful ore, weapon and monster-material opportunities.
Death Mountain is easy to underestimate because its outer slopes are calmer than in the previous game. Its meaningful content is distributed across the summit, the western mining site, the east tunnel, the foothill cave and the chasm rather than being concentrated in one central settlement.
Named places within or directly attached to the scope
Boundary note: Bridge of Eldin is best treated as a neighbouring approach landmark rather than part of the mountain itself. It is included here because it is one of the principal land routes used to reach Death Mountain.
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Named places within or directly attached to the scope
From Lookout Landing and central Hyrule
The usual overland approach is eastwards through the Eldin region. Link can travel through the wider Eldin Canyon area, pass Goron City and continue towards the Bridge of Eldin. From there, the road and mine workings lead towards the western side of Death Mountain.
The region can also be reached early through climbing, gliding or Zonai construction. The open mountain is not locked behind the Regional Phenomena quest. What is progression-sensitive is the safest and most useful access to certain events, especially the summit boss and the Depths entrance.
From Goron City
Goron City is the natural staging point for the mountain expedition, although it is not itself part of Death Mountain. During Yunobo of Goron City, Link and Yunobo travel north and east from the city towards Death Mountain West Site. The western route uses a mine cart with a Fan, then connects to a railway that climbs around the mountain.
The outer railway contains enemies and broken sections. Yunobo is particularly useful for clearing Marbled Rock, which blocks the track in several places. The route also demonstrates an important Eldin technique: mine carts, Fans, Rockets and rails are often more reliable than climbing directly through the volcanic terrain.
The route is
- 01Leave Goron City and follow the railway towards Death Mountain West Site.
- 02Place a Mine Cart on the track.
- 03Attach a Fan and ride to the western mining site.
- 04Use the inner railway at Death Mountain West Site to begin climbing.
- 05Clear Marbled Rock with Yunobo’s rolling ability.
- 06Continue past enemy groups and obstructions.
- 07Reach the summit platform and investigate the crater.
From the Bridge of Eldin
A second route follows the road around the southern and eastern side of the mountain. This is less dependent on the railway and can be used to reach the summit area or inspect the outer slopes. It is also useful when returning after the main quest, because the railway’s story sequence is no longer the only practical route.
From the sky
The summit and upper slopes can be reached with a paraglider, Skyview Tower launch, falling sky-island debris or a constructed flying machine. This can bypass the western railway, but it does not remove the need for Flame Guard inside the caves.
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Flame Guard
The open surface of Death Mountain is no longer constantly ablaze. Link can walk across much of the mountain without protective equipment. The interior caves and tunnels are different. Lava, hot air and fiery enemies make Flame Guard essential in:
Flame Guard can come from the Flamebreaker Set, a Fireproof Elixir or equivalent protection. The Death Caldera Crystal quest specifically requires protection from the heat inside the east tunnel.
Lava and mine-cart hazards
Lava blocks or limits movement in both major tunnels. A Mine Cart fitted with a Fan is the standard solution, although Rockets, shields and other Zonai devices can also provide mobility. Do not assume that a visible track is merely decorative. In Death Mountain’s caves, rails often form the intended route to a chest, Bubbulfrog, quest objective or boss.
Marbled Rock
During the regional quest, Marbled Rock obstructs the summit railway and appears in nearby caves. Yunobo’s ability is the intended way to destroy it. Outside that story context, progress through some connected areas may be less convenient until Yunobo is available.
About this guide
Major spoilers for the Eldin Regional Phenomena quest
Gloom
The crater initially emits gloom before the Moragia encounter. After the boss is defeated, gloom remains around the chasm walls but the crater becomes a usable route into the Depths. Chasms generally have gloom around their rims and inner walls, so avoid dropping directly onto it if possible.
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Death Mountain is the climax of the Yunobo of Goron City questline. By the time Link reaches the mountain, Yunobo has joined him and his rolling ability is available for breaking Marbled Rock and clearing the railway.
Reaching the summit
The western railway is blocked at several points. Fire Yunobo along the track to smash the Marbled Rock, then use the mine cart to continue climbing. Enemy groups include Bokoblins, Moblins, Keese and Octoroks, so a bow is useful for removing threats before they can knock Link from the track.
At the upper platform, Link and Yunobo encounter the mysterious woman resembling Zelda. The investigation triggers the emergence of Moragia from the crater.
Moragia
Moragia is a huge three-headed creature made from boiling lava and rock infused with gloom. The encounter is unusual because Link does not fight it from the ground. A prepared flying machine sits near the summit platform, with Wings, Fans, a Steering Stick and Batteries available.
Moragia strategy
Each head can be destroyed with a single successful hit from Yunobo. The main danger is the boss’s projectile attack, not its health. Staying airborne and circling rather than hovering in place makes the fight much safer.
Moragia appears only once in normal play. This makes the fight the natural opportunity to photograph it for the Hyrule Compendium. The photograph can later be obtained through Robbie’s Compendium Database, but the live encounter itself is not repeatable.
Moragia strategy
- 01Activate the flying machine.
- 02Fly towards one of Moragia’s three heads.
- 03Aim Yunobo’s rolling attack at the head.
- 04Strike each head once.
- 05Keep the machine moving to avoid the Magma Bombs fired by the boss.
- 06After all three heads are hit, Moragia collapses into the crater.
Entering Death Mountain Chasm
After Moragia is defeated, the crater opens into Death Mountain Chasm. Link can dive through it to reach the Eldin Canyon Depths. The first immediately relevant Depths landmark is Mustis Lightroot.
The chasm is the story route to the Fire Temple. The Fire Temple itself is in the Depths and should not be counted as part of Death Mountain’s surface area, even though the mountain is its access point.
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Sitsum Shrine
Sitsum Shrine is on Death Mountain itself. Its challenge, A Controlling Device, teaches vehicle control rather than combat. Link uses vehicles to cross lava, retrieve an orb, open a chest and eventually operate a glider. The chest contains a Mighty Construct Bow, followed by the usual Light of Blessing.
Sitsum Shrine directory entry
The shrine is a useful stop before or after the summit story sequence. Its vehicle puzzles reinforce the same skills used during the Moragia battle.
Sitsum Shrine directory entry
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Sitsum Shrine | — |
| Type | Shrine of Light |
| Challenge | A Controlling Device |
| Main reward | Mighty Construct Bow |
| Completion reward | Light of Blessing |
| Notable feature | Steering Stick and vehicle-control tutorial |
Momosik Shrine and The Death Caldera Crystal
Momosik Shrine lies just east of Death Mountain in the Death Caldera. It begins the shrine quest The Death Caldera Crystal. The shrine itself is a Rauru’s Blessing shrine, so the challenge is completed outside the shrine chamber.
Walkthrough
The chest contains a Big Battery, and completion awards a Light of Blessing.
Momosik Shrine directory entry
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Walkthrough
- 01Activate Momosik Shrine.
- 02Follow the green beam towards the Death Mountain East Tunnel.
- 03Break through the Blue Sediment blocking the entrance.
- 04Equip Flame Guard before entering.
- 05Place a Mine Cart on the rail and attach a Fan.
- 06Ride to the far end of the tunnel.
- 07Defeat or otherwise handle the Igneo Talus carrying the green crystal.
- 08Cool the Talus with Ice Fruit or another ice effect if needed.
- 09Put the crystal in a Mine Cart and return to the shrine.
- 10Deliver it to Momosik Shrine.
- 11Enter the shrine and open the chest.
Momosik Shrine directory entry
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Momosik Shrine | — |
| Type | Rauru’s Blessing |
| Quest | The Death Caldera Crystal |
| Chest | Big Battery |
| Completion reward | Light of Blessing |
| Requirements | Flame Guard and a way to cross lava |
Death Mountain West Site
The Death Mountain West Site is a mining area west of the mountain. It contains the Death Mountain West Site Station, the entrance to Death Mountain West Tunnel and several rail-based Korok activities.
The station’s railway leads up towards the summit. During the main quest, it is the principal staging area for the climb.
West Site activities
The two Koroks are a paired-reunion puzzle. Carrying or transporting the stranded Korok to its friend yields two Korok Seeds in total, one for each member of the reunion.
Death Mountain West Tunnel
This lava-filled tunnel lies beneath the western mining site. It contains a chest, a Bubbulfrog, mining materials and the trapped Goron Mota. Flame Guard is required.
The Abandoned Laborer
Speak with Mota to begin the side quest. He is trapped beyond a broken section of railway. Place a Mine Cart on the track, have Mota climb aboard and attach a Rocket behind the cart. Launch him across the gap and follow him out of the tunnel. Mota rewards Link with a Large Zonai Charge.
West Tunnel directory
The Cobble Crusher is a fixed chest reward, while ores, Brightbloom Seeds and monster materials are ordinary environmental resources.
West Tunnel directory
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Death Mountain West Tunnel | — |
| Quest | The Abandoned Laborer |
| Quest character | Mota |
| Chest | Cobble Crusher |
| Collectible | Bubbul Gem from the Bubbulfrog |
| Materials | Brightbloom Seeds, Giant Brightbloom Seeds, Fireproof Lizards |
| Main hazard | Lava |
| Main tool | Mine Cart with Rocket or other propulsion |
Death Mountain East Tunnel
The east tunnel is in the northeastern part of the Death Caldera. Its entrance is blocked by Blue Sediment, which can be destroyed with a rock-based weapon, Bomb Flower or similar method. Inside are lava, a Mine Cart railway, a Bubbulfrog and an Igneo Talus carrying the crystal for Momosik Shrine.
East Tunnel directory
The crystal’s location is fixed. The Igneo Talus is not a random encounter for this quest, and the cave’s railway is the intended transport route.
East Tunnel directory
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Death Mountain East Tunnel | — |
| Quest connection | The Death Caldera Crystal |
| Boss-like enemy | Igneo Talus |
| Collectible | Bubbul Gem from the Bubbulfrog |
| Enemies | Fire Keese, Horriblin, Igneo Talus |
| Materials | Brightbloom Seeds, Giant Brightbloom Seeds |
| Fixed quest item | Green shrine crystal |
| Main hazard | Lava |
Death Mountain Foothill Cave
Death Mountain Foothill Cave is on the cliffside northeast of Goron City, across from Goro Cove. It contains lava, Marbled Rock, a Fire Like, Horriblins and two notable chests. Yunobo’s ability is needed for the Marbled Rock sections.
Foothill Cave directory
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Foothill Cave directory
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Death Mountain Foothill Cave | — |
| Fixed chest | Cobble Crusher or world-level equivalent |
| Fixed chest | Ruby |
| Collectible | Bubbul Gem |
| Enemies | Blue Bokoblin, Keese, Fire Keese, Fire Like, Horriblin, Blue Horriblin |
| Materials | Brightbloom Seeds, Giant Brightbloom Seeds |
| Requirement | Flame Guard |
| Progression aid | Yunobo’s ability for Marbled Rock |
Named boss
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Moragia | — |
| Location | Death Mountain summit |
| Quest | Yunobo of Goron City |
| Form | Three-headed lava and rock creature |
| Method | Hit each head with Yunobo while flying |
| Repeatability | One-time normal story encounter |
| Special relevance | Best opportunity for a live Compendium photograph |
Cave and surface enemies
Verified enemy types associated with the named Death Mountain caves include:
The summit railway also contains ordinary overworld enemy groups, including Bokoblins, Moblins, Keese and Octoroks. Enemy variants and equipment can scale with world level, so the exact weapon drops are not fixed.
Igneo Talus advice
The Igneo Talus in Death Mountain East Tunnel carries the shrine crystal. Ice Fruit or an ice-based fused arrow cools its body, allowing Link to climb it safely. Once cooled, attack the ore deposit on its back. If the objective is only to retrieve the crystal, it is possible to use Ultrahand in some situations, but defeating the Talus is the more reliable method and provides its normal monster materials.
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Fixed rewards
The exact weapon found in some chests can change with world level. The Death Mountain Foothill Cave reward is described as a Cobble-Crusher weapon whose form can scale to a Cobble-Crusher Halberd.
Fixed rewards
| Location or activity | Reward |
|---|---|
| Sitsum Shrine | Mighty Construct Bow and Light of Blessing |
| Momosik Shrine | Big Battery and Light of Blessing |
| Death Mountain West Tunnel | Cobble Crusher in a chest |
| Death Mountain Foothill Cave | Cobble Crusher-type weapon and Ruby |
| The Abandoned Laborer | Large Zonai Charge |
| The Death Caldera Crystal | Access to Momosik Shrine |
| Death Mountain West Site Korok reunion | Two Korok Seeds |
| Other Korok puzzles | Korok Seeds |
| Cave Bubbulfrogs | Bubbul Gems |
Materials
These are environmental or enemy-derived resources rather than guaranteed quest rewards. Their exact quantity is not fixed.
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Death Mountain proper has no permanent town, inn, general shop or stable. Those services are found in neighbouring locations, particularly Goron City and the wider Eldin Canyon region.
Story-associated characters
Addison’s sign is near Death Mountain Marker #9, just east of the mountain. Supporting the sign awards a Red Rupee, Scorching Meaty Rice Balls and a Bomb Flower.
Story-associated characters
Businesses and facilities
Strictly within Death Mountain’s boundaries, the significant named facility is:
The following nearby places should not be incorrectly listed as Death Mountain businesses:
The available location hierarchy lists these as separate Eldin settlements or facilities.
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Route A: Main-story expedition
- 01Prepare Flame Guard, although the open surface is safe without it.
- 02Start in Goron City.
- 03Travel to Death Mountain West Site.
- 04Use the station railway.
- 05Clear Marbled Rock with Yunobo.
- 06Fight through the railway-side enemy groups.
- 07Reach the summit.
- 08Defeat Moragia.
- 09Enter Death Mountain Chasm.
- 10Activate Mustis Lightroot in the Depths.
- 11Continue towards the Fire Temple.
Route B: Completionist surface sweep
- 01Visit Death Mountain West Site.
- 02Complete both Korok activities.
- 03Enter Death Mountain West Tunnel.
- 04Rescue Mota and collect the chest and Bubbul Gem.
- 05Explore the summit and activate Sitsum Shrine.
- 06Inspect the crater after the Moragia sequence.
- 07Travel east into the Death Caldera.
- 08Activate Momosik Shrine.
- 09Complete The Death Caldera Crystal.
- 10Enter Death Mountain East Tunnel again if you still need materials.
- 11Visit Death Mountain Foothill Cave.
- 12Solve Addison’s nearby Hudson Sign puzzle.
Route C: Cave and resource run
Bring Flame Guard, ice-based arrows, a rock weapon, Bomb Flowers, Brightbloom Seeds and at least one spare Mine Cart or Fan. Start with Death Mountain Foothill Cave, then move to the west tunnel, and finish at the east tunnel. This route minimises backtracking through the hot caves and lets you use the same equipment throughout.
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Death Mountain has two important states.
After Moragia
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Before leaving the Death Mountain area, check that you have:
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Death Mountain is one of The Legend of Zelda series’ recurring landmarks and is strongly associated with volcanoes, Gorons and dangerous subterranean passages. In Breath of the Wild, the mountain was an active volcano and the setting of Divine Beast Vah Rudania. In Tears of the Kingdom, the surface is quieter, but the mountain is still unstable underground and becomes a major source of gloom and monster activity.
The change from active eruptions to a cooler surface is not merely cosmetic. It changes the practical rhythm of the area:
This makes Death Mountain a useful example of how Tears of the Kingdom revisits familiar locations while giving them new vertical layers and new traversal problems.
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Do I need Flame Guard to climb Death Mountain?
Not for most of the open surface in Tears of the Kingdom. The mountain is dormant and considerably cooler than in Breath of the Wild. You do need Flame Guard for the lava-filled caves and tunnels.
Is Goron City part of Death Mountain?
No. Goron City is a separate named settlement in Eldin Canyon, although it is the main staging point for the Death Mountain storyline.
Can I reach the summit without using the railway?
Yes. Climbing, gliding and Zonai vehicles can bypass parts of the railway. During the intended story route, however, the railway is the most direct and thematic approach.
Can I fight Moragia again?
Not in normal play. Moragia is a one-time story encounter. If you want its Compendium photograph, take it during the battle or obtain it later through the database service.
Is the Fire Temple inside Death Mountain?
No. Death Mountain Chasm leads into the Eldin Canyon Depths, where the Fire Temple is located. The temple is connected to Death Mountain by progression, but it is a separate Depths location.
Where is the best place to find a Cobble Crusher?
The Death Mountain West Tunnel contains a fixed Cobble Crusher chest. Death Mountain Foothill Cave also contains a Cobble-Crusher-type weapon whose exact form can scale with world level.
What is the most easily missed activity?
The paired Korok reunion at Death Mountain West Site is easy to overlook because the two Koroks are separated across the rail route and Death Caldera. The Mota rescue in Death Mountain West Tunnel is another commonly missed piece of content because it is a side quest rather than part of the main summit climb.
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Sources
- Locations in Tears of the Kingdom - Zelda Wiki — zelda.fandom.com
- Death Mountain - Zelda Wiki — zelda.fandom.com
- Death Mountain (Tears of the Kingdom) - Zelda Dungeon Wiki, a The Legend of Zelda wiki — zeldadungeon.net
- Walkthrough:Goron City (Tears of the Kingdom) - Zelda Dungeon Wiki, a The Legend of Zelda wiki — zeldadungeon.net
- Death Mountain East Tunnel - Zelda Dungeon Wiki, a The Legend of Zelda wiki — zeldadungeon.net
- Death Mountain Chasm - Zelda Dungeon Wiki, a The Legend of Zelda wiki — zeldadungeon.net
- Walkthrough:Goron City (Tears of the Kingdom) - Zelda Dungeon Wiki, a The Legend of Zelda wiki — zeldadungeon.net
- Moragia - Zelda Dungeon Wiki, a The Legend of Zelda wiki — zeldadungeon.net
- Sitsum Shrine - Zelda Dungeon Wiki, a The Legend of Zelda wiki — zeldadungeon.net
- Momosik Shrine - Zelda Dungeon Wiki, a The Legend of Zelda wiki — zeldadungeon.net
- Death Mountain West Site - Zelda Dungeon Wiki, a The Legend of Zelda wiki — zeldadungeon.net
- Death Mountain West Tunnel - Zelda Dungeon Wiki, a The Legend of Zelda wiki — zeldadungeon.net
- Death Mountain Foothill Cave - Zelda Dungeon Wiki, a The Legend of Zelda wiki — zeldadungeon.net
- The Death Caldera Crystal - Zelda Dungeon Wiki, a The Legend of Zelda wiki — zeldadungeon.net
- Category:Tears of the Kingdom Eldin Locations - Zelda Dungeon Wiki, a The Legend of Zelda wiki — zeldadungeon.net
- Death Mountain (Breath of the Wild) - Zelda Dungeon Wiki, a The Legend of Zelda wiki — zeldadungeon.net