You’re squinting at the sky over Central Hyrule, burning through Stamina Elixirs, and wondering if the game is glitching. It’s not. Finding the light dragon path in Tears of the Kingdom is notoriously frustrating because, unlike the elemental dragons you grew used to in Breath of the Wild, this shimmering beast doesn't follow a 24-hour clock. She is always moving.
She never sleeps.
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Most players spend hours warping between Skyview Towers only to realize they’ve been chasing her shadow. The dragon takes exactly 114 minutes (that’s nearly two real-world hours) to complete one massive, clockwise loop around the entire map of Hyrule. If you miss her by five minutes, you might be waiting a long, long time.
Why the Light Dragon Path Changes (And How to Fix It)
The biggest mistake you’ve likely made is assuming her altitude is fixed. It isn’t. When you first start the game, the Light Dragon is cruising at a staggering 2,000 meters. That’s higher than almost every Sky Island. You basically can't even see her from the ground because the draw distance won't let her render.
The Altitude Problem
Honestly, unless you have a death wish or a ridiculous hoverbike, don't even try to reach her at the start. To make the light dragon path actually accessible, you have to do one of two things:
- The Deku Tree Quest: This is the big one. If you head into the Lost Woods, drop into the Depths, and clear out the Gloom Hands and Phantom Ganon inside the Deku Tree, the dragon will immediately drop her altitude to about 700 meters.
- The Dragon's Tears: Collecting all 12 Geoglyph memories triggers a cutscene where she drops even lower—basically to ground level—for a brief window at the Rist Peninsula.
If you’ve already grabbed the Master Sword, the moving map marker disappears. This is where the real "expert" tracking begins.
Tracking the Route Without a Map Marker
Since the light dragon path follows a clockwise circuit, your best bet is to warp and look behind you. Start at a tower like Ulri Mountain and look toward the Akkala Highlands. If she isn't there, jump to the next tower in the sequence.
The dragon passes near these specific towers in this order:
- Ulri Mountain (Akkala)
- Eldin Canyon
- Upland Zorana (Lanayru)
- Mount Lanayru
- Rabella Wetlands (East Necluda)
- Sahasra Slope
- Popla Foothills (Faron)
- Gerudo Canyon
- Gerudo Highlands
- Lindor's Brow (Hyrule Ridge)
- Rospro Pass (Hebra)
- Pikida Stonegrove
- Thyphlo Ruins
Basically, she hugs the perimeter. She never enters the Depths like Dinraal or Farosh. If you’re standing on the Great Sky Island—specifically near the Room of Awakening—you can often catch her as she passes the southern edge of the island. It’s one of the highest points in the game, making it a perfect jumping-off point even if she’s still at high altitude.
Farming the Light Dragon
Once you’re on her back, don't leave. Unlike the other dragons who will eventually zap or freeze you, the Light Dragon is chill. You can literally stand on her head and watch a movie in real life.
Dragon parts (Scales, Talons, Fangs, and Horns) have a 10-minute cooldown. You’ll know she’s ready to be harvested again when her glow returns. If you need multiple parts for the Champion’s Leathers or the Ancient Hero’s Aspect, just set a timer on your phone for 10 minutes and stay on the ride.
What Most People Get Wrong
There's a myth that resting at a campfire resets her position. It doesn't.
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Resting, sleeping, or fast-traveling does not move the dragons. They exist in real-time. If she was over the Gerudo Highlands when you saved your game, she’ll be in that exact same spot when you reload, assuming no time passed in the "active" game world. This is actually a blessing. If you spot her but are too low, you can warp to a higher tower and she’ll still be roughly in the same area.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Session
Stop wandering aimlessly.
First, go to the Korok Forest and save the Deku Tree. This makes the light dragon path permanently lower and easier to spot. If you've already done that and lost the marker because you have the Master Sword, warp to the Mount Lanayru Skyview Tower. It’s the highest launch point on the eastern side of the map. Launch yourself, pull out your telescope, and scan the horizon toward the south.
If you don't see her, warp to the Gerudo Highlands Skyview Tower and look north. By checking these two "corners" of the map, you can usually locate her within three minutes. Just remember to bring a few Stamina Elixirs; even at 700 meters, the glide can be a long one.
Once you land, remember to walk along her back to collect the Shards of Light Dragon's Spike. They're free, they don't trigger the harvest cooldown, and they make great healing-on-hit fuse materials for your weapons.
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Get your farming done in one go so you never have to play "Where's Zelda?" ever again.