So, you're stuck at 14 out of 15. Or maybe you're just starting the long haul through the Scottish Highlands in Hogwarts Legacy and you realized the Hogwarts Valley collection chests aren't just sitting out in the open waiting for a polite "Hello." They're tucked behind puzzle doors, hidden in bandit camps, and buried deep inside spider-infested caves. Honestly, it’s a bit of a nightmare if you don’t have a plan.
Hogwarts Valley is huge. It stretches from the southern edge of the Hogwarts grounds all the way down to the marshy bits where the terrain starts getting really rugged. Getting 100% completion here isn't just about bragging rights; it’s the only way to unlock those specific room of requirement decorations and wand handles you actually want.
Why the Map Counter Lies to You
The first thing you have to understand is that the in-game map is sort of a double-edged sword. It tells you there are 15 collection chests in the Hogwarts Valley region, but it doesn't count the ones inside "dungeons" or specific story areas the same way it counts the ones in the open world.
You’ve probably flown over Brocburrow or Keenbridge and seen the gold icon. That’s the easy part. The real headache begins when you realize some of these chests are locked behind the Alohomora spell—specifically Level 2 or 3—meaning you can’t even finish this region until you’ve hunted down enough Demiguise Statues for Mr. Moon. It’s a gated progression system that feels a bit grindy, but that’s the game we’re playing.
Breaking Down the Hamlet Chests
Let's talk about the villages first because they are the densest spots for loot. Brocburrow is a quaint little place, but it hides four collection chests. You’ll find one inside a house that requires Alohomora Level 1. Simple enough. Another is just sitting near a pond on the edge of the village. But then there’s the one tucked away in a small room attached to a merchant’s stall. You’d walk past it ten times and never notice.
Keenbridge is even more annoying.
There are three chests here. One is in a house that requires Level 1 lockpicking, but another requires Level 2. If you haven't upgraded your spell yet, don't even bother landing. Just keep flying. There's also one sitting in a small shed toward the back of the town near the river. Most players miss the one inside the Beehive hut area just outside the main cluster of houses. It’s tucked behind some crates that you need to smash.
The Bandit Camp Grind
Outside of the cozy fires of the hamlets, the Hogwarts Valley collection chests are mostly guarded by people who want to kill you. There are several Bandit Camps scattered across the hills.
- The Medium Bandit Camp to the far east, near the coastal transition, has one tucked inside a tent.
- A Small Bandit Camp near the riverbed holds another.
- The camp near the Ancient Magic hotspot often gets overlooked because people get distracted by the puzzle.
Don't just clear the camp and leave. Cast Revelio while standing in the center of the camp. The chest glow is distinct—it’s a rectangular shape, different from the rounder loot bags. If you don't see that specific gold outline, you haven't found the collection chest yet.
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The Gilded Perch and The Dale Family Tomb
This is where people usually get stuck. You see, two of the "Hogwarts Valley" chests aren't technically in the "Valley" when you're looking at the overworld. They are inside specific locations.
The Dale Family Tomb is a big one. It's located east of Brocburrow. You go in there for a side quest involving a herbology student, but if you don't explore the side passages, you’ll miss the collection chest entirely. It’s hidden behind a wall of Devil’s Snare. Bring Lumos or Incendio, obviously. If you leave the tomb without it, you have to run the whole gauntlet again later.
Then there’s the "Gilded Perch." You only get access to this area during Poppy Sweeting’s questline—specifically "A Bird in the Hand." If you haven't progressed Poppy's friendship far enough, you literally cannot finish the Hogwarts Valley collection. This is a common point of frustration. Players spend hours scouring the woods when the chest is actually sitting behind a puzzle door in a ruin that hasn't even opened yet.
The One Everyone Misses
There’s a specific chest near the West Hogwarts Valley Floo Flame. It’s not in a camp. It’s not in a house. It’s inside a small, unnamed cave guarded by a couple of pesky spiders. Because it’s not labeled as a "dungeon," it doesn't have its own map icon until you’re practically on top of it.
I’ve found that the best way to spot these "wild" chests is to fly at night. The gold glow of Revelio seems to pop more against the dark terrain than it does during the bright Highland day. Also, look for the white circles on your mini-map. If you see a chest icon that stays white instead of turning grey, you haven't opened it.
Nuance in the Loot Pool
It's worth noting that the contents of these chests are semi-randomized. You are guaranteed a "Collection" item—meaning a furniture piece for the Room of Requirement or a Wand Handle—but which one you get is often down to RNG.
Some players try to "save scum" (saving before opening the chest and reloading if they don't like the item), but honestly, with 15 chests in this region alone, it's better to just grab them and move on. The only thing that isn't random is the fact that they are collection items. You won't find a pair of green spectacles or a basic cloak in these specific rectangular trunks.
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Practical Steps for Completion
Stop wandering aimlessly. It wastes time.
First, check your regional counter by zooming all the way out on the map. If it says 15/15, you’re golden. If it says 14/15, check the hamlets first. Hover your cursor over Brocburrow and Keenbridge specifically; the map will show a sub-total for that village. If the village totals are maxed out, your missing chest is either in a Bandit Camp or the Dale Family Tomb.
Next, prioritize the "Man Behind the Moons" quest. You cannot 100% this game without Level 3 Alohomora. It's a bottleneck. Once you have that, do a sweep of the river valley from north to south.
Finally, if you’re still missing one and you’ve cleared every camp, go check the Gilded Perch. If you haven't done Poppy's quest, that's your answer. The game counts that chest toward the valley total even though it’s essentially a quest-locked instance.
Clear the fog of war. Use your broom. Cast Revelio like your life depends on it. Most of the time, the chest isn't "glitched"—it’s just hiding behind a stack of crates in a house you thought you already searched. Use the map's zoom feature to isolate the hamlets and you'll find that last missing piece of furniture for your Vivarium in no time.