You finally made it. Whether you took the terrifying climb through the Ruin-Strewn Precipice or gathered the two halves of the Dectus Medallion to ride the Grand Lift, stepping onto the Altus Plateau for the first time is a core memory for any Elden Ring player. The music shifts. The sky turns a blinding, sickly gold. Everything feels bigger, more dangerous, and honestly, a little overwhelming.
Mapping out the Altus Plateau sites of grace isn't just about having a place to level up or swap your spells. It’s about survival in a zone where the difficulty spikes like a jagged piece of glintstone. If you don't find the right checkpoints early, you're going to spend a lot of time running through autumn-colored forests only to get sniped by a Leyndell soldier or flattened by a Fallingstar Beast.
The First Steps Into the Gold
The moment you crest the hill from the Grand Lift of Dectus, the first thing you’ll see is the Altus Plateau site of grace. It's right there. Don't skip it. From here, the world opens up in three distinct directions, and picking the wrong one is a great way to lose 40,000 runes in ten seconds.
Most people head north toward the map fragment. Smart move. You'll pass the Altus Highway Junction. This specific spot is basically the "Grand Central Station" of the plateau. If you go north, you hit the Windmill Village (creepy, don't recommend the dancing). If you go east, you're staring down the throat of Leyndell, Royal Capital.
Why the Highway Junction Matters
This grace is a lifeline. It’s nestled right near where Boc the Seamster usually hangs out if you’ve been following his quest. It also sits near a nomadic merchant. If you’re low on lightning boltheads or need some basic crafting materials, this is your home base.
There’s a weird tension in this zone. You see the Erdtree looming over everything, but the closer you get, the more "wrong" things look. The grace sites here often feel like tiny islands of sanity in a sea of madness. Take the Forest-Spanning Greatbridge. It’s a spectacular view, but it’s also home to a teleporter that sends you straight to the northern heights. It’s a shortcut that feels like a trap until it isn't.
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Chasing the Map Fragments and Hidden Nooks
You can't see where you're going without the maps. Finding the Altus Plateau sites of grace that lead to these fragments should be your absolute priority. The primary map is found along the path heading north from the Highway Junction. You'll see the monolith. Grab it.
But then there’s the Shaded Castle.
Tucked away in a poison-filled valley to the north, the Shaded Castle Ramparts grace is a grim place. It’s green. It’s swampy. It feels nothing like the rest of the plateau. Getting there requires navigating a narrow ravine that makes you feel like you're being watched. You probably are.
The Minor Erdtree Circuit
There are two Minor Erdtrees in this region. One is in the woods near the Woodfolk Ruins. The grace nearby, aptly named the Minor Erdtree (Altus Forest), is surrounded by those lanky, omen-like creatures that breathe death blight. It’s a high-stress area. If you see the fog, run.
- Windmill Village: High ground, great for farming, terrifying vibes.
- Road of Iniquity Side Path: Leads toward Mt. Gelmir.
- Abandoned Coffin: Where you end up if you take the "manual" way up through the precipice.
The Abandoned Coffin site of grace is particularly interesting because Lansseax, a massive ancient dragon, likes to drop in and say hello the moment you arrive. It’s a scripted encounter that scares the life out of new players. You don't have to fight her there. You can just touch the grace and keep moving, but the adrenaline stays.
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The Outer Walls of Leyndell
Approaching the capital is where the Altus Plateau sites of grace become dense. You have the Outer Wall Phantom Tree, which gives you two Golden Seeds right off the bat. It’s one of the most generous spots in the game.
From here, the path splits. You can go toward the Draconic Tree Sentinel—the infamous "skill check" of the mid-game—or loop around the outskirts. The Capital Rampart grace is your reward for beating that sentinel. It’s the gateway to the endgame, really. Once you touch that grace, the tone of your playthrough changes. You aren't just an explorer anymore; you're an invader.
Misconceptions About the Plateau
A lot of players think you have to do everything here before moving to the capital. Honestly? You don't. You can snag the most important graces—the ones near the map fragments and the ones leading to Mt. Gelmir—and come back later. The plateau is meant to be peeled like an onion.
Some people miss the Sainted Hero's Grave. It’s tucked away behind a Black Knife Assassin boss fight right out in the open. The grace inside is a welcome relief because that assassin is relentless.
Finding the Drigger Graces
If you’re looking to upgrade your weapons, you need the mines. The Altus Tunnel and Old Altus Tunnel sites of grace are essential. These aren't just checkpoints; they are the keys to finding Smithing Stone (5) and (6). Without these, your damage output is going to fall off a cliff once you hit the city walls.
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The Old Altus Tunnel requires a Stonesword Key. Is it worth it? Absolutely. The loot inside is significantly better than the standard tunnel, and the grace provides a quick reset point for farming the knights inside.
Final Navigation Logic
Navigating the Altus Plateau sites of grace is less about a linear path and more about a hub-and-spoke model. Use the Altus Highway Junction as your center.
- North: For the Shaded Castle and Windmill Village.
- West: Toward Mt. Gelmir and the Volcano Manor.
- East: Straight into the heart of the Golden Order at Leyndell.
- South: Back down to Liurnia if you realized you forgot to finish Ranni's quest.
Don't ignore the small stuff. The "Bower of Bounty" grace sounds lovely, but it’s a mess of enemies. The "Dominula" graces are great for leveling up if you can stomach the creepy laughing of the villagers.
The best way to handle this region is to light every fire you see. The distances are deceptive. You think you can make it to that next tower, but then a group of Abductor Virgins appears out of the tall grass. Trust the grace. It’s the only thing in Altus that isn't trying to kill you.
To make the most of your time in the Altus Plateau, prioritize hitting the Altus Highway Junction and the Outer Wall Phantom Tree first to secure your map visibility and flask upgrades. Once those are locked in, head to the Old Altus Tunnel to ensure your weapon scaling keeps up with the increased enemy health pools in the capital. Focusing on these three nodes creates a triangle of safety that makes the rest of the region much more manageable. Use the Forest-Spanning Greatbridge teleporter if you need to bypass the heavy patrols in the central woods and reach the northern map fragment without a fight.