The Consecrated Snowfield in Elden Ring is a vast, snow-laden region brimming with challenging encounters, hidden secrets, and the path to Miquella’s Haligtree, home to the infamous Malenia, Blade of Miquella. This optional zone is a true test for seasoned Tarnished, offering some of the toughest bosses and demanding exploration in the entire Lands Between. Reaching this area is not straightforward and requires dedication, but the rewards are well worth the journey for players seeking to conquer all that Elden Ring has to offer.
If you’re ready to brave blizzards, face formidable foes, and uncover the mysteries of the Haligtree, this guide will walk you through each step required to access the Consecrated Snowfield in Elden Ring. From acquiring the Haligtree Secret Medallion to navigating treacherous paths, we’ll ensure you’re well-prepared for this late-game area.
To reach the Consecrated Snowfield, you will need to complete the following key steps:
- Vanquish Morgott, the Omen King, in Leyndell, Royal Capital.
- Ascend the Grand Lift of Rold and journey to the Mountaintops of the Giants.
- Collect both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion.
- Return to the Grand Lift of Rold and hoist the Secret Medallion.
- Traverse the Hidden Path to the Haligtree.
Let’s delve into each of these steps in detail, providing you with a clear and concise roadmap to the Consecrated Snowfield.
Step 1: Ascend the Grand Lift of Rold After Defeating Morgott
Your journey to the Consecrated Snowfield begins in Leyndell, Royal Capital. To progress beyond Leyndell and access the Mountaintops of the Giants, you must first overcome Morgott, the Omen King. This formidable boss guards the path forward, and defeating him is a crucial step in your Elden Ring progression. If you are struggling with this encounter, numerous guides are available to help you conquer Morgott and claim victory.
Once Morgott falls, the path leading east out of Leyndell will open, granting you access to the Grand Lift of Rold. This colossal lift is your gateway to the Mountaintops of the Giants. Melina will bestow upon you the Rold Medallion, which, when presented at the Grand Lift, will transport you upwards to the snow-capped peaks. This is similar to the Grand Lift of Dectus in Liurnia, which requires the Dectus Medallion to activate.
However, our destination is not the Mountaintops of the Giants themselves, but rather the Consecrated Snowfield, located below. To reach this hidden area, you need to acquire the Haligtree Secret Medallion. This medallion has two halves, and obtaining both is essential to unlock the secret passage at the Grand Lift of Rold.
Step 2: Obtain the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Right Half) in the Village of the Albinaurics
The first half of the Haligtree Secret Medallion, the right half, is hidden within the Village of the Albinaurics in Liurnia of the Lakes. This village is located beneath the plateau on the southwest side of Liurnia, accessible by descending a slope from the Lakeside Crystal Cave area. The Village of the Albinaurics is a dilapidated and unsettling location, and within its desolate confines lies the NPC holding the medallion piece.
Your target is Albus, an Albinauric who is adept at disguise. He is hidden on the eastern side of the village, disguised as a large pot. Look for a suspicious pot near a stone coffin and a small, withered red tree. Player messages often mark his location, making him easier to spot.
To reveal Albus, simply strike the pot once with any attack. This will break the illusion and reveal his true form: a frail, hunched-over old man. Speak to Albus, and he will entrust you with the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Right) for safekeeping, requesting you keep it from “cursemongers” and deliver it to an NPC named Latenna. While he mentions Latenna, handing over the medallion to her is not necessary for accessing the Consecrated Snowfield and is part of a separate questline.
Step 3: Obtain the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Left Half) from Commander Niall in Castle Sol
The left half of the Haligtree Secret Medallion is guarded by Commander Niall, a notoriously challenging optional boss located at the northernmost point of the Mountaintops of the Giants, within Castle Sol. Reaching Castle Sol requires traversing a significant portion of the Mountaintops of the Giants.
Commander Niall is infamous among Elden Ring players for his difficulty. He is an agile and powerful boss who summons spectral knights to aid him in battle, making for a truly demanding encounter. Defeating Commander Niall requires careful strategy and a well-optimized build. Numerous guides and resources are available to assist you in overcoming this formidable foe.
Once you have triumphed over Commander Niall, your reward awaits beyond his boss arena. Proceed past the arena to find a small elevator. Take the elevator to the top of a watchtower. On the ground near a ghostly NPC, you will find the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Left). Commander Niall himself does not directly hold the medallion; it is located in the area beyond his boss room.
Step 4: Hoist the Secret Medallion at the Grand Lift of Rold
With both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion in your possession, return to the Grand Lift of Rold. Approach the pedestal where you previously used the Rold Medallion. This time, a new prompt will appear, likely requiring you to cycle through the available actions to select “Hoist Secret Medallion.”
Activating this prompt will trigger a brief cutscene, similar to the Grand Lift of Dectus, where your character presents the Haligtree Secret Medallion. Instead of ascending to the Mountaintops of the Giants, however, the lift will descend, taking you down a hidden path. This path leads to the Hidden Path to the Haligtree dungeon, the gateway to the Consecrated Snowfield. You are now on the verge of reaching your destination!
Step 5: Navigate the Hidden Path to the Haligtree to Reach the Consecrated Snowfield
The Hidden Path to the Haligtree is a dungeon area that serves as a transitional zone between the Grand Lift of Rold and the Consecrated Snowfield. While the dungeon itself is quite extensive and contains numerous secrets, including illusionary walls, invisible bridges over perilous drops, and even a Mimic Tear boss encounter, navigating it to reach the Snowfield is relatively straightforward.
To quickly progress, ascend the large staircase in the initial hallway. At the top, you will encounter a large octopus enemy (a Prawn Miners). You can either defeat it or carefully maneuver past. Once past the octopus, take a right turn and continue along the stairs. This path will lead you directly to the exit of the Hidden Path to the Haligtree, and you will finally emerge into the Consecrated Snowfield.
Be warned: the initial area of the Consecrated Snowfield is shrouded in a heavy blizzard, significantly reducing visibility to just a few feet. Rely on your compass to orient yourself and head north on Torrent. As you progress northwards, you will eventually pass through the blizzard and reach areas with slightly improved visibility, allowing you to explore the vast and challenging Consecrated Snowfield.
Recommended Level for the Consecrated Snowfield
While it is theoretically possible to reach the Consecrated Snowfield relatively early in the game using glitches or exploits, it is strongly discouraged. The Consecrated Snowfield is designed as a late-game area, and its challenges are scaled accordingly.
The recommended level for venturing into the Consecrated Snowfield is a minimum of level 100. As you delve deeper into the region and confront its numerous dungeons and bosses, you may even want to be at an even higher level. Enemies in this area are significantly tougher than those encountered in earlier zones, and they will pose a considerable threat to unprepared players.
To effectively explore the Consecrated Snowfield and overcome its challenges, ensure your character is appropriately leveled and equipped with a powerful build. Consider exploring some of the best Elden Ring builds to optimize your character for the trials that await.
What to Expect in the Consecrated Snowfield
The Consecrated Snowfield is a sprawling region filled with diverse locations, dungeons, and points of interest. It is significantly larger than it initially appears, offering extensive exploration opportunities for dedicated players. Here are some key locations and activities you can expect to find in the Consecrated Snowfield:
- Yelough Anix Tunnel: A challenging dungeon culminating in a boss fight against Astel, Stars of Darkness, a variant of the Astel encountered in Ranni’s questline.
- Mohgwyn’s Palace Waygate: A portal that, if you haven’t completed Varre’s questline, provides an alternate route to Mohgwyn’s Palace, a high-level area associated with the Lord of Blood, Mohg.
- Walking Mausoleum: Another opportunity to duplicate valuable Remembrances, though this particular mausoleum is defended by constant magical artillery fire.
- Ordina, Liturgical Town: A perplexing town featuring an intricate puzzle involving lighting torches in a separate dimension while evading invisible Black Knife Assassins. Solving the puzzle unlocks a portal to Miquella’s Haligtree.
- Minor Erdtree: Home to a Putrid Avatar boss, defeating which rewards you with the Ruptured Crystal Tear, a unique Physick flask ingredient with explosive properties.
- Miquella’s Haligtree & Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree: The ultimate destination within the Consecrated Snowfield, this massive and perilous legacy dungeon requires navigating treacherous tree branches and city-like structures to reach the roots, where Malenia, Blade of Miquella, awaits.
The Consecrated Snowfield is a treasure trove of challenging content and valuable rewards for those who dare to venture into its frozen depths. By following this guide, you will be well-equipped to reach this late-game area and begin your exploration of its many secrets. Prepare yourself for a true test of your Tarnished prowess!
