You’re staring at that giant gold rock in Svartalfheim and honestly, it’s annoying. You know something is behind it. The map says there’s a legendary chest and a Yggdrasil Rift nearby, but the game just won't let you through. This is the God of War Ragnarok Alberich Hollow experience in a nutshell. It’s one of those sub-regions that feels like a reward for finally getting the right gear, but even when you have the tools, the layout can be a bit of a maze.
Most players end up here while hunting for the "Lost Treasure" favor. It’s tucked away behind Dragon Beach. You can't just walk in during the early game. You need the Draupnir Spear. If you don't have the spear yet, stop reading and go play the main story. You literally cannot progress here without it. Once you have that infinite-replicating toothpick, though, the whole area opens up.
How to Actually Reach Alberich Hollow
Getting there is half the battle. You need to head to the Bay of Bounty in Svartalfheim. Look for Dragon Beach on the eastern side of the map. It’s the spot with the massive dragon statue that looks like it’s about to breathe fire on your boat. Once you land, look for a wooden structure on the left side of the beach.
There is a chain you can climb, but it’s broken halfway up. This is where the spear comes in. Throw it into the wind-hole in the wooden pillar. Detonate it. Now you have a path. Climb up, swing across the gap using the grapple points, and you’ll find yourself standing in front of a spirit. This is the spirit of the Elder Bergsra’s son, part of that "Lost Treasure" quest I mentioned. Just past him is the cave entrance. Welcome to the hollow.
The vibe shifts immediately. It’s cramped, dark, and full of those annoying Grims that spit acid.
Dealing with the Fire Bombs and Gold Ore
The core mechanic of the God of War Ragnarok Alberich Hollow section involves Fire Bombs. You’ll see a stone vase filled with glowing orange heat. This isn't just for show. You have to grab a bomb and throw it at the gold ore deposits blocking your path.
The catch? These bombs have a timer. If you hold onto them too long, they’ll explode in Kratos’s face. It doesn’t do massive damage, but it’s embarrassing. You have to be quick.
The first major obstacle is a massive chunk of gold ore blocking the main tunnel. Grab the bomb from the nearby dispenser and chuck it. Easy. But then the game throws a boss at you. Or a mini-boss, technically. An Ormstunga.
That Annoying Ormstunga Fight
Honestly, the Ormstunga is harder than some of the main bosses if you aren't prepared. It’s small, incredibly fast, and hits like a truck. It uses a lot of unblockable (red ring) attacks where it lunges at you with a tongue lash or a quick bite.
- Don't mash buttons. If you try to combo this thing, it will just hop away and hit you from the side.
- Use your shield. Parrying is your best friend here.
- Spartan Rage. Save your Rage for when it corners you.
- Freya/Atreus. Keep the arrows flying to prevent its posture bar from resetting.
Once the lizard-thing is dead, you get some decent loot, including the Svefnthorn, which is a crafting component for the Ember Roar amulet. It’s a solid reward for a fight that usually lasts less than two minutes but feels like twenty.
The Legendary Chest and the Half-Treasure Map
Further into the cave, you’ll hit another gold ore blockage. This one is guarding a Legendary Chest. You’ll need to find another fire bomb dispenser, which is located just a bit further down the path. Grab the bomb, run back, and clear the way.
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Inside that chest is one half of the Muspelheim Seed. If you’re trying to reach the combat trials in Muspelheim, this is a mandatory stop. Many people miss this and wonder why they can't access the fiery realm later. It’s tucked away right here in the God of War Ragnarok Alberich Hollow tunnels.
There is also a treasure map item here. Or rather, the completion of one. If you’ve been following the "Fruits of Virtue" or "Washerwoman" maps, the loot is often buried near these cave exits. Specifically, look for a patch of dirt that glows slightly gold near the cliff edge once you exit the back of the hollow.
The Yggdrasil Rift and the Lindwyrm
If you’ve talked to Ratatoskr (the giant squirrel at Sindri’s house), he’s probably given you a quest to find his "children"—the Lindwyrms. These are the long, noodle-like dragons hiding in Yggdrasil Rifts.
There is a rift right here in Alberich Hollow.
After you clear out the main cavern and move toward the exit that leads back out to the Bay of Bounty (on a high ledge), you’ll see the rift. It’s hard to miss. Reach in, pull out the Lindwyrm, and collect your rewards. You’ll get some Lindwyrm Scales and some Gale Sparks. Gale Sparks are crucial because collecting six of them forms a Gale Flame, which is what you need to upgrade the Draupnir Spear to its maximum level.
Why This Area Matters for Completionists
If you’re going for the Platinum trophy or 100% completion in Svartalfheim, this area is a nightmare if you miss one small thing. There is an Odin’s Raven here. It’s sitting on a rock just outside the cavern exit, overlooking the water. If you don't hear the distinct "glassy" chirping sound, you might walk right past it.
The loot here is genuinely top-tier for the mid-game:
- Muspelheim Seed half.
- Folkvangr Whetstone (used for upgrading swords).
- Svefnthorn.
- Ancestral Heirloom (if you're doing the quest for the trolls).
Basically, the hollow is a resource goldmine disguised as a damp cave.
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The Exit Strategy
Once you’ve cleared the rift and grabbed the chest, don't just backtrack through the cave. Keep moving forward toward the ledge. There’s a massive chain you can kick down. This creates a permanent shortcut from the beach area directly up to the high ledges.
This is super helpful because if you realize later that you missed a collectible—which happens all the time in this game—you don't have to do the spear-jump and the fire-bomb run all over again. You just sail to the beach, climb the chain, and you're there.
Common Mistakes Players Make
The biggest mistake is definitely trying to go there too early. The game teases you with the gold ore and the grapple points, but without the spear, it's a dead end.
Another mistake? Ignoring the "Lost Treasure" favor. If you don't have that quest active, the spirit at the entrance won't give you the full context of what you're looking for, and you might miss the buried treasure near the dragon statue later.
Also, watch out for the explosive barrels. The Grims in this area love to stand near them. One well-placed axe throw can clear a whole room, but if you’re standing too close, Kratos takes the hit too. Use the environment. It’s there for a reason.
Actionable Next Steps
To finish your run through God of War Ragnarok Alberich Hollow with everything in your inventory, follow these steps:
- Verify Gear: Ensure you have the Draupnir Spear and have spoken to Ratatoskr to get the Lindwyrm trap.
- Clear the Ormstunga: Don't let it kite you; stay aggressive and use sonic arrows to keep its stun bar building.
- Check the Rift: Ensure you actually pull the Lindwyrm out; simply "opening" the rift isn't enough for the favor.
- Grab the Raven: Before jumping down the final chain, look toward the sea to find Odin's spy perched on a rock.
- Complete the Favor: Head back to the Elder Bergsra’s son's spirit to turn in the quest and get your XP and rewards.