Mountaintops of the Giants (West) - Dungeons, Points of Interest, and Secrets - Elden Ring Guide - IGN (2024)

Mountaintops of the Giants is one of the last two regions in Elden Ring. This page includes an overview of the area, including all main dungeons, bosses, loot, and secrets to find in this region.

Mountaintops of the Giants is the region you'll reach after exploring Leyndell, Royal Capital on the Altus Plateau, and beating Morgott, Omen King.

This snowy region is home to some of the most challenging bosses and enemies in the game, but it also holds many secrets, gear, and high-level upgrade materials to help you journey through the constant blizzard.

There are no roads in this region, as it is all covered in snow. However, the Mountaintops of the Giants holds the secret entrance to the region's western half—the Consecrated Snowfield—an optional area that'll lead you to Miquella's Haligtree.

To reveal the details and topography of the whole Mountaintops of the Giants region, you'll need to find three Map Fragments at the Steles located in Mountaintops of the Giants (East & West) and the Consecrated Snowfield.

Finding these three Map Fragments will fully complete the map of the Lands Between, revealing the entire world of Elden Ring.

• The Mountaintops of the Giants, West Map Fragment is located at a Stele found after using the Grand Lift of Rold. Take the path forward and make a right; the Stele and the Map Fragment are right around the corner.

This region is home to several world bosses that can be found outside of dungeons, some of which roam in certain areas and others that are hiding until you draw close enough to trigger their arrival. NPC humans also have several scripted invasions that will force you into a conflict. Click on a boss below to learn more about how to defeat them.

Mountaintops of the Giants (West) are home to a few different Minor Dungeons that dot its snowy landscape, from hidden catacombs to a giant castle. These locales can be tackled in any order, and each contains a miniboss at the end that holds valuable treasure. Click on a dungeon below to read the walkthrough and guide for traversing it and finding all the secrets.

As you explore the Mountaintops of the Giants, you'll find various friendly (or seemingly friendly) faces you can find and speak to - and even buy and sell with to obtain unique wares.

• Shabriri - An NPC you first find at the Mountaintops of the Giants by the Zamor Ruins Site of Grace, Shabriri looks identical to Bloody Finger Hunter Yura. He will lead you towards The Three Fingers to unlock a different ending for the game.

Completing his quest will reward you with the Ronin armor set. An alternative option is that you can fight and kill him to get it.

• Nomadic Merchant - You can find this Nomadic Merchant right next to the Ancient Snow Valley Ruins Site of Grace. You should be able to get to him after crossing the isthmus guarded by the Fire Monks.

He notably sells the entire Vagabond Knight set and the Missionary Cookbook 7.

• Brother Corhyn - After progressing through his questline at the Altus Plateau and in Leyndell, Brother Corhyn and Goldmask will move to the south of Stargazer's Ruins.

The Mountaintops of the Giants (West) region is home to many interesting locations, enemy camps, and other points of interest that you can discover in your journeys. Though they differ in the enemies and treasure found within, each place has something worth discovering.

Click on one of the points of interest to jump to the sections below explaining them in greater detail, including the enemies you'll face and secrets you can find.

Note: Though the Divine Tower of East Altus is techically part of the Altus Plateau, it is only accessible after completing Leyndell, Royal Capital. The tower is also revelead by obtaining the map of Mountaintops of the Giants (West).

Divine Tower of East Altus

Once you've gained access to the Forbidden Lands Site of Grace, immediately return to the elevator and use it to go back up. As the elevator is moving, face southwest and look for an opening to jump across. This secret hallway contains both the Official's Attire and the Blade of Calling.

Recall the elevator and use it to go all the way up this time. Make your way southeast unto the bridge leading to the Divine Tower of East Altus. Your screen will go black and trigger the Fell Twins field boss as you move across the bridge.

The fight shouldn't be challenging, especially if you managed to defeat the first Omen Killer before the second one comes running in. Spirit Ashes are available for summons for this fight as well. They drop the Omen Killer Spirit Ash upon defeat.

Continue your way to the Divine Tower of East Altus to restore Morgott's Great Rune. SPOILER: Tap to RevealMohgwyn's Dynasty Mausoleum.

Grand Lift of Rold

From the Forbidden Lands Site of Grace, ride your way east towards the Grand Lift of Rold. There are two roaming bosses to encounter in the Forbidden Lands; the Night's Cavalry that spawns at nighttime and the Black Blade Kindred guarding the entrance to the lift.

The former is close to the Site of Grace, and he drops the Ash of War - Phantom Slash upon defeat. The Black Blade Kindred drops both of his weapons upon defeat. There is also a Phantom Tree with a Golden Seed underneath it near this boss fight.

Zamor Ruins

The Zamor Ruins should be the first point of interest you come across after taking the Grand Lift of Rold. Turning the corner from the main path, you can see Shabriri next to the Zamor Ruins Site of Grace. The Map Fragment for the Mountaintops of the Giants (West) is also here.

The majority of the ruins are south of the Site of Grace, and several Knights of Zamor highly guard it. These knights are one of the most formidable regular enemies you can encounter, so we recommend either taking them out one at a time or avoiding them altogether.

You can grab two significant loots here; the first is the Zamor Ice Storm sorcery on a corpse in the southernmost section of the ruins. The second is the Smithing-Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 3 in the underground chamber of Zamor Ruins—the entrance is southwest of the corpse where you find the sorcery earlier.

Shack of the Lofty

To get to the Shack of the Lofty, head north from the Ancient Snow Valley Ruins Site of Grace and go left once you've made it to the middle of the valley. You should soon see Vampire Bats fighting Misbegotten underneath the bridge.

As you get closer to the shack, Juno Hoslow will invade your world. Defeat him to obtain his armor set and his whip. Inside, you can find the Traveling Maiden Set on a corpse.

Stargazer's Ruins

The Stargazer's Ruins are located on a plateau above the western side of the valley—you can get here by crossing the bridge above the Shack of the Lofty.

• That very same bridge will contain the reward for the Sorcerer Painting, which you can find inside Castle Sol.

As you go inside the ruins, you'll find a talking and non-hostile Spirit Jellyfish looking for her sister. Though you can't interact with her, you can summon the Spirit Jellyfish Ashes to reunite the sisters. After a brief conversation, the two Spirit Jellyfish will disappear, unlocking the previously sealed underground chamber. Make your way down, open the chest inside the room, and grab the Primal Glintstone Blade.

Snow Valley Overlook

This unmarked location spans the landmass overlooking the snow valley to the south and Castle Sol to the north. You can find a Site of Grace nearby the bridge that connects the overlook to the Minor Erdtree plateau.

The eastern half of this overlook has no notable loot. However, the western half contains two roaming bosses that drop splendid weapons. The Tibia Mariner is just northwest of the area's Site of Grace, on a ridge directly south of Castle. This boss drops a Deathroot and the Helphen's Steeple greatsword upon defeat.

The second boss, Death Rite Bird, is located on the westernmost section of the overlook down the snow-capped cliffs before Castle Sol. It is highly recommended not to fight this boss on horseback, as its attacks area of effect will hit you even at full speed. The Death Rite Bird is also highly susceptible to holy damage, so consider that before fighting it. The boss will drop its weapon upon defeat—the Death Ritual Spear.

Minor Erdtree

The last Minor Erdtree in the game, this one is located across the bridge south of the Snow Valley Ruins Overlook. This dead Minor Erdtree contains an Erdtree Avatar field boss—it drops the Cerulean Crystal Tear and the Crimson Bubbletear upon defeat.

Looking down the valley towards the direction of the Heretical Rise, you can see a Phantom Tree with a Golden Seed down below. You can drop the series of giant tombstones extending out the side of the cliffs to get down there.

Heretical Rise

Those accessing the Heretical Rise are most likely coming from the south. The main entrance to the tower is blocked by a seal, requiring you to find another entry.

Travel to the Snow Valley Ruins Overlook and ride east until you get to the broken bridge across the tower. Though seemingly destroyed, the bridge is invisible, allowing you to traverse it and get to the balcony of the Heretical Rise.

It is highly recommended to use Rainbow Stones as you get closer to the tower, as it can help you trace the correct path. You can also use the Ash of War - Hoarfrost Stomp to reveal the course easier.