You're standing at the edge of the Minshi Woods, looking at that swirling, ominous red-and-black void, and honestly? It’s okay to feel a little hesitant. Entering the Hyrule Forest Park Chasm isn't just a casual stroll into a cave. It’s the definitive gatekeeper to the Great Hyrule Forest and the secrets of the Lost Woods in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. If you've tried to walk through the fog at the surface and got spat back out like a bad habit, you already know the traditional path is a dead end.
The Depths are scary. Gloom is everywhere. But if you want to save the Deku Tree, you have to go down.
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Why the Hyrule Forest Park Chasm is Your Only Way In
Most players get stuck trying to navigate the Lost Woods from the ground level. You remember how it worked in Breath of the Wild—follow the torches, watch the wind. That doesn't work here. The fog is literal magic that blocks your path entirely. Link can't just "brute force" his way through the mist this time around.
The Hyrule Forest Park Chasm is located just north of the Military Training Camp and south of the Great Hyrule Forest. It’s a jagged tear in the earth that serves as the "back door" to the most sacred part of the map. Basically, you aren't going into the forest; you're going under it.
When you dive into this specific hole, you aren't just entering a random part of the Depths. You are entering a self-contained subterranean ecosystem that mirrors the geography above. Because the forest is surrounded by water on the surface, the walls in the Depths are impassable. This means the chasm is your singular point of entry to reach the Korok Grove. If you miss the landing or head the wrong direction, you'll hit a wall of rock that goes all the way to the ceiling.
Getting Prepared for the Gloom
Before you even think about jumping, check your inventory. Do you have Brightbloom Seeds? You'll need dozens. The area directly beneath the chasm is pitch black, and the terrain is uneven.
You also need Sundelions. This isn't optional. The enemies down here, particularly the Gloom-infected variants of standard monsters, don't just take away your hearts; they "break" them. You can't heal broken hearts with regular food. You need Sunny Fried Wild Greens—made by cooking Sundelions with other ingredients—to restore those greyed-out heart containers.
Bring a fan or a wing if you have them in your Zonai capsules. The walk from the chasm floor to the center of the forest is longer than it looks on the map.
The Descent and the Path to Korok Grove
Gravity is your friend until it isn't. When you dive into the Hyrule Forest Park Chasm, keep your paraglider ready. As you fall, you'll notice the atmosphere shifts from the bright, airy sounds of Central Hyrule to a low, discordant hum.
Once you hit the bottom, you’ll be near the Rikonasum Lightroot. Activate it immediately. This provides a permanent teleport point and illuminates a small radius around the base of the chasm.
The goal here is simple but tricky: you need to head northwest.
Look for the giant, glowing roots of the Great Deku Tree above you. In the Depths, the topography is an inversion of the surface. Where there are mountains above, there are canyons below. Where there is a forest above, there is a dense, pillar-filled grove below. Follow the trail of "Poes"—those little blue spirits—as they often act as breadcrumbs leading toward significant landmarks.
You are looking for a very specific structure: a massive stone pillar that stretches from the floor all the way to the ceiling. This is the pedestal for the "Ascend" ability. You'll know you're in the right place because you'll see a series of torches and a flat, man-made stone platform directly beneath the heart of the Korok Forest.
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Combat Reality Check
It’s not an empty walk. You will likely encounter a few Gloom-affected enemies. Don't waste your best weapons on them. Use Muddle Buds to make them fight each other, or Puffshrooms to disappear and sneak-attack them. If you see a cluster of hands coming out of the ground—Gloom Spawn—just run. Unless you are heavily geared with multi-shot bows and bomb flowers, the Hyrule Forest Park Chasm approach is best done with stealth and speed.
Common Mistakes People Make Near the Chasm
- Trying to glide from other chasms: You can't. The Great Hyrule Forest is effectively on an island in the Depths. If you try to glide over from the Minshi Woods Chasm or other nearby holes, you’ll hit "invisible" walls of solid rock that reach from floor to ceiling.
- Forgetting the Ascend ability: People get to the bottom and wander around for hours looking for a ramp. There is no ramp. You have to stand under the stone column and use Ascend. It's one of the longest Ascends in the entire game, and it feels like it takes forever, but it will pop you out right in front of the Great Deku Tree.
- Ignoring the Lightroots: Every Lightroot corresponds to a Shrine on the surface. If you find the Rikonasum Lightroot, you’ve basically mapped out the entrance to the forest.
The Hyrule Forest Park Chasm is a bottleneck. It’s designed to be a gear check and a puzzle. If you can’t survive the trip to the stone pillar, the game is basically telling you that you aren't ready for what's waiting for you inside the Deku Tree’s stomach.
The Horror Under the Tree
Once you use the chasm to get inside the forest, the job isn't done. The reason the forest is silent and the Koroks won't speak is because of the "infestation" at the bottom of the Deku Tree's navel.
Inside the tree, there's another, smaller hole leading further down into a secret chamber. This is where the real fight happens. You’ll face the Gloom Spawn (the hands), and immediately after, Phantom Ganon.
Phanton Ganon in this cramped space is a nightmare. He uses a gloom-smeared sword that leaves trails on the ground. Keep your distance, use Flurry Rushes if your timing is good, or spam those bomb flowers you hopefully gathered on your way through the chasm.
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Once he’s defeated, the gloom will lift. The forest will return to life. The Koroks will start dancing again, and you’ll finally be able to speak to the Great Deku Tree to start the quest for the Master Sword.
Essential Checklist for the Hyrule Forest Park Chasm
- Locate the Chasm: Find the hole at coordinates (1063, 1655, 0165) near Minshi Woods.
- Pack Light: At least 20 Brightbloom seeds and 3-5 Gloom-recovery meals.
- The Dive: Drop down and head Northwest toward the Rikonasum Lightroot.
- The Landmark: Look for the stone grove with the "ceiling" column.
- The Exit: Use Ascend at the base of the pillar (approx. coordinates 0436, 2095, -0588).
- The Fight: Clear the navel of the Deku Tree to restore the forest.
Navigating the Hyrule Forest Park Chasm is a rite of passage. It marks the transition from the early-game exploration to the mid-game challenge where the stakes actually start to feel real. You’re no longer just picking mushrooms; you’re diving into the bowels of the earth to save a sentient forest.
Next Steps for Your Journey
After you have successfully cleared the forest, your map will be updated with the location of the Master Sword. This is a moving target, so don't linger too long celebrating with the Koroks. Check your map immediately, mark the dragon's path, and ensure you have at least two full wheels of Stamina—not temporary stamina, but permanent green bars—because you'll need them to pull the sword. If you're short on stamina, head to the nearby Shrines you just unlocked by activating the Lightroots in the Depths. Restore the forest, get your map markers, and prepare for the sky.