Honestly, the Gelmir Hero's Grave walkthrough is usually where most Elden Ring players have their first real "I'm done" moment. It's not just the chariots. It's the lava. It’s the fact that the floor is quite literally a death trap, and the game doesn't give you a map for the rafters. If you've spent the last hour getting flattened by a giant stone lawnmower, don't worry. You're not bad at the game; the dungeon is just designed to be a massive headache.
Most people try to sprint through the lava while chugging flasks. That works, but it’s the "ugly" way to win. There is a much smarter path that involves riding a chariot like a surfboard and finding a hidden Bloodhound Knight who is guarding some of the best armor in the game. Let's break down how to actually finish this place without losing your mind.
Navigating the First Chariot and the Lava Slope
When you first step into the Gelmir Hero's Grave, you'll see the standard hero's grave setup: a long, narrow ramp and a chariot that wants to turn you into a pancake.
The rhythm here is simple but punishing. Run down the ramp and look for the alcoves on the sides. Skeletons hide in these, so don't just roll in and expect a break—you'll need to kill them or block them while the chariot passes.
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The Point of No Return
Eventually, the path narrows and turns into a sea of lava. This is where most players get confused. The chariot stops before it hits the deep lava, but you still have to go down.
- The "Brute Force" Method: You can literally just walk through the lava. If you have Quickstep or Bloodhound's Step equipped on a dagger, you can zip through the sludge much faster than walking.
- The Loot: At the very bottom of this first lava slope, tucked into a corner on the left, is a chest. Open it to get the Ringed Finger. Yes, it’s a giant, severed finger that you can use as a hammer. It’s as weird and effective as it sounds.
Finding the Secret Path to the Bloodhound Knight
If you want the actual good stuff—the Gelmir Knight Set and the Bloodhound Knight Set—you have to stop acting like a runner and start acting like a climber.
Halfway down the main chariot ramp, right where the floor starts to disappear into lava, there are some cross-shaped wooden beams hanging over the abyss. You need to drop down onto these. It looks like a "you will die if you fall here" pit, but it’s the intended route.
Meeting the Bloodhound Knight
Once you are on the beams, look for a small window/opening in the wall. This leads to a secret area with a ladder. Down here, you’ll find a Bloodhound Knight just chilling. He’s tough, fast, and aggressive. If you kill him, he drops his entire armor set. Behind him, on a corpse, you’ll find the Gelmir Knight Set.
Getting two of the coolest-looking knight sets in one room is basically the reason people come here.
How to Ride the Chariot (The "Pro" Shortcut)
This is the part that feels like a glitch but is actually a mechanic.
After you’ve explored the rafters and the Bloodhound Knight’s room, go back to those wooden beams. Wait for the chariot to roll underneath you. If you time your drop correctly, you can land directly on the flat wooden platform of the chariot itself.
Don't move. Just stand there.
The chariot will carry you down through the lava, acting as your personal transport. When it reaches the very bottom and pauses to turn around, hop off onto the safe ledge. This leads directly to a ladder that takes you to the boss door.
The Boss Door Myth
A lot of people waste hours looking for a lever to open the large stone doors at the end.
There is no lever.
You literally just walk up to the doors and interact with them to push them open. If you’ve been scouring the walls for a hidden switch, stop. Your character is strong enough to just shove them open.
Killing the Red Wolf of the Champion
The boss of the Gelmir Hero's Grave is the Red Wolf of the Champion. If you fought the Red Wolf of Radagon in Raya Lucaria, you know the drill. It’s fast, it uses magic swords, and it loves to jump away just as you swing.
- Be Aggressive: This wolf has very low poise. If you stay in its face, you can stagger it easily.
- Magic Glintblades: When it summons the blue floating swords, count the delay. They don't fire immediately. Wait for the "ping" sound and dodge sideways.
- Rewards: Beating him gets you the Bloodhound Knight Floh spirit ashes. Also, don't forget to check the chest in the back of the room for a Deathroot, which you'll need if you're doing Gurranq’s questline.
Actionable Next Steps
If you've followed this Gelmir Hero's Grave walkthrough, you should have a giant finger hammer, two sets of elite knight armor, and a new spirit summon.
To finish up your Mt. Gelmir run, head outside and continue toward Volcano Manor. Since you already have the Gelmir Knight armor, you’ll look the part when you finally meet Rykard. Just make sure you’ve spent those runes from the Red Wolf before you go jumping off any more cliffs.