You’re standing at the edge of the Gerudo Wasteland, squinting through the heat haze at a massive, geometric fortress of stone. It’s the North Lomei Labyrinth. If you’ve spent any time playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you know that the Zelda Breath of the Wild desert labyrinth—officially known as the North Lomei Labyrinth—is one of those places that looks terrifying from the outside but feels even more claustrophobic once you’re inside. It’s a giant box of Malice, Guardians, and dead ends.
Most players stumble upon it while trying to fill out their map or hunting for that elusive "Trial of the Desert" shrine quest. Honestly, it’s a bit of a nightmare. The music shifts to that eerie, minimalist piano track, and suddenly you’re second-guessing every left turn. But here’s the thing: people overcomplicate it. They spend hours running in circles when the solution is usually right above their heads or tucked behind a pile of breakable rocks.
The Actual Truth About the North Lomei Labyrinth
Located in the northeast corner of the Gerudo Desert, tucked right against the base of the Mount Nabooru cliffs, this place is a masterclass in level design. It’s not just a maze. It’s a resource drain. If you aren't prepared for the heat or the sudden combat encounters, you’re going to burn through your food and weapons faster than a Lynel kills a low-level Link.
The Zelda Breath of the Wild desert labyrinth is home to the Dila Maag Shrine. Getting there is the goal, but the journey is where most people mess up. They try to "solve" it like a traditional maze by keeping their hand on the right wall. That doesn't work here. The designers were smarter than that. They built verticality into the puzzle.
Why You Should Stop Walking and Start Climbing
Look, the "intended" way to solve this is to navigate the corridors. But if you've got enough stamina or a few Stamella Mushroom skewers, you should just climb the walls. Seriously. From the top of the labyrinth, the entire layout becomes clear. You can see the patches of Malice—that purple-black goo that drains your health—and you can spot the chests tucked away in corners.
Climbing to the roof also lets you avoid the Guardian Scouts. These little mechanical nuisances are scattered throughout the lower corridors. If you’re low on shields or just don't feel like parrying lasers, the roof is your best friend. From the top, look for the section of the maze that has a large amount of Malice concentrated around it. This is usually a sign that you're getting close to the entrance of the shrine chamber.
Specifically, you’re looking for a corridor on the north-central side. Most players miss the entrance because it’s tucked under a stone overhang that isn’t visible from a bird’s-eye view. You have to drop down into a specific well-like area. It’s tricky. If you see a bunch of electric chuchus, you’re in the right neighborhood.
Dealing with the Heat and the Loot
The Gerudo Desert is unforgiving. If you tackle the Zelda Breath of the Wild desert labyrinth during the day, you need Level 2 heat resistance. You’ve probably already got the Desert Voe armor set from the Secret Club in Gerudo Town, or at least the sapphire circlet. If not, start cooking. Chilly Melons are everywhere. Use them.
Once you’re inside, the loot is actually worth the headache. We aren't just talking about the Spirit Orb from Dila Maag. There are several chests hidden in the walls containing:
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- Golden Bow: Essential for sniping because of its zoomed-in scope.
- Gerudo Scimitar: High durability for the desert.
- Radiant Shield: One of the fastest shields for shield-surfing in the game.
The real prize, though, is the Barbarian Armor. Specifically, the Barbarian Leg Wraps are found here. For anyone building a combat-focused Link, the Barbarian set is non-negotiable because of the attack power buff. If you're tired of whacking a Silver Moblin thirty times to kill it, this armor piece is why you’re in this desert maze in the first place.
The Dila Maag Shrine "Puzzle"
Once you actually find the entrance—which involves navigating to the back-center area and finding the path blocked by Malice eyes—the shrine itself is a "Blessing" type. This means the maze was the puzzle. You walk in, grab the Barbarian Leg Wraps from the chest, and talk to the monk. Easy.
But wait. Don't just warp out.
There is a massive basement under most of these labyrinths. If you see a gust of wind or a hole in the floor after the shrine is completed, take a deep breath and jump. In the desert labyrinth, the "underground" isn't as expansive as the one in the Akkala sea maze, but there are still secrets tucked in the vertical shafts. Always check the corners for breakable walls. Use your Sheikah Sensor set to "Treasure Chest" if you really want to clear the place out.
Common Misconceptions and Pro Tips
A lot of people think you need to clear the Divine Beast Vah Naboris before coming here. You don't. You can do this ten minutes after leaving the Great Plateau if you're brave enough and have enough peppers cooked. In fact, getting the Barbarian gear early makes the rest of the game significantly easier.
Another thing? The Map. The map of the Zelda Breath of the Wild desert labyrinth is actually helpful if you look at the dark lines. The dark lines on your mini-map represent walls, but they don't show the overhangs. This is why people get lost. They think they are in a corridor that opens up, but it’s actually a "tunnel" section.
- Fire Arrows are useless here. Use Shock arrows for the Guardian Scouts or just standard arrows to hit the Malice eyes.
- Use Cryonis? No, there's no water. Don't even try.
- Stasis+ is your radar. If you’re worried about a Guardian Scout waking up, spam Stasis+. It will highlight any "living" ancient machinery in bright yellow.
The Secret Path
If you want the "pro" route: enter the labyrinth, immediately head to the right, and follow the outer wall until you reach the far back corner. From there, work your way toward the center-north. You’ll find a series of lanterns. Follow the lanterns. The developers used them as subtle breadcrumbs. Most players ignore the lighting and just run toward whatever looks interesting, but the torches almost always lead to the solution.
The Malice eyes are the gatekeepers. If you hit a dead end with a bunch of purple goop, look up. There is almost always an eye on a wall or ceiling that, when shot, will clear a path or drop a chest. It's classic Zelda design hidden in a modern open world.
Actionable Steps for Success
To wrap this up and get you through the North Lomei Labyrinth efficiently, follow this checklist.
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- Prepare for the Climate: Ensure you have Level 2 Heat Resistance. Either wear the Desert Voe set or eat a meal made with 4 Chilly Melons and a Dragon Horn for a 30-minute buff.
- Enter from Above: Use the cliffs to the east to glide onto the top of the labyrinth walls. This gives you a tactical advantage and lets you map out the Malice locations.
- Locate the Lanterns: Drop into the corridors near the north-central area where you see torches. These will guide you to the shrine entrance.
- Clear the Malice: Bring a decent bow and at least 20 arrows. You'll need to pop the Malice eyes to open the final corridors leading to Dila Maag.
- Loot Everything: Before warping out, use Magnesis to check for metallic chests hidden under the floor or behind false walls. There’s a lot of Gerudo-series weaponry here that is great for mid-game players.
Once you’ve grabbed the Barbarian Leg Wraps and the Spirit Orb, you’re done. The desert labyrinth is a test of patience more than a test of skill. Stay high, watch your temperature gauge, and don't let the geometry trick you into running in circles.