You spent hours there during the first half of the game. It was your home base, a place of safety where Freya’s massive turtle, Chaurli, kept watch over a flower-filled meadow. Then, the story shifted. The stakes got higher. You found yourself locked out of Midgard’s most peaceful corner for what felt like forever. If you’re trying to figure out how to reach the God of War Ragnarok Sanctuary Grove after the credits roll, you aren't alone. It’s one of the most searched post-game mysteries because the game basically tells you "no" for thirty hours and then whispers a "maybe" once Odin is dealt with.
Getting back isn't just about nostalgia or seeing how Chaurli is doing. There's real stuff there. Collectibles. A specialized flower for a favor. A moment of narrative closure that Santa Monica Studio tucked away for the completionists.
But it’s finicky. You can’t just fast travel there from the jump.
The Seed You’re Probably Missing
Most players spend an hour scrolling through the Midgard map looking for a hidden path near Tyr’s Temple. Stop doing that. You’re wasting your time. There is no physical bridge or secret snowy pass that leads back to the grove. The world tree has moved on, and the only way in is through a Yggdrasil Seed.
Specifically, you need the "untuned" seeds.
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After you finish the main path—and I mean the whole thing, through the funeral and the fallout—you need to head over to Sindri’s House. You'll find Ratatoskr. You know, the squirrel with the attitude? Talk to him. He’ll give you a bag of Yggdrasil Seeds. This is the "Aha!" moment most people miss. These seeds don't just open new areas; they repair broken gateways.
Once you have those seeds in your inventory, go to a Mystic Gateway. Hover over the Midgard realm. You’ll see a grayed-out gateway icon labeled Sanctuary Grove. It’s sitting right there in the western part of the map. If you have the seeds from the squirrel, you can "ignite" this gateway. Boom. You're back in the garden.
Why Chaurli Looks So Sad
The first thing you’ll notice when you step through the portal is the atmosphere. It’s quiet. Maybe a little too quiet. Chaurli, the giant timber-framed tortoise, is still there, but he’s looking a bit worse for wear. He’s cold. He hasn't been tended to since Freya was forced to leave.
There’s a specific "Favor" or side quest tied to this location called Nine Realms in Bloom. If you’re a completionist, this is the main reason you’re here. You need to find the Mirkweed. It’s a small, glowing flower that grows right near the turtle’s front right leg. Pick it up. That’s one more checkmark off the list for the platinum trophy.
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I’ve seen some people online claiming you can find hidden armor sets or secret boss fights here. Honestly? That's nonsense. Don't believe the clickbait. Sanctuary Grove is a narrative reward, not a combat arena. It’s a place for Kratos and Freya to acknowledge their history. If you bring Freya back here—which you should—she has specific dialogue about her home and her protector. It’s somber. It’s a reminder that even though the war is over, the scars on the land remain.
The Technical Hiccup: Why Won't the Gateway Open?
Sometimes the game bugs out. Or, more accurately, the game's logic requires a very specific set of triggers.
If Ratatoskr isn't giving you the seeds, check your quest log. Have you actually seen the "Beyond Ragnarok" quest pop up? If you just finished the final fight but haven't watched the long-form epilogue scenes, the squirrel might stay in his "serious mode" and won't hand over the goods. Go to sleep in the game. Watch the credits. Then go talk to him.
Another thing. Some players try to get here during the "intermission" periods of the story. You can't. The game hard-locks Sanctuary Grove until the threat of Odin is completely removed from the board. It's a sanctuary in the truest sense; it only becomes accessible when the world is actually safe again.
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Is There Anything Else to Do There?
Aside from the Mirkweed and the dialogue? Not much in terms of "gameplay," but there’s a lot in terms of "vibe."
- Check the porch: You can walk up to the front of the house. You can't go inside—Kratos isn't a burglar, after all—but the level of detail on the exterior is wild.
- The Flora: The plants here are unique to this sub-region. If you’re into the photo mode, the lighting in Sanctuary Grove is some of the best in the game because of the way the "eternal autumn" hits the leaves.
- Freya's Reaction: If you stay still for a minute, Freya will often interact with the environment. It’s a small touch, but it makes the world feel lived-in.
The God of War Ragnarok Sanctuary Grove represents the end of a very long journey for Freya. She went from being the trapped Witch of the Woods in the 2018 game to a Queen who can finally return to her porch on her own terms. That’s the real value of coming back here.
How to Check if You’ve Completed Everything Here
If you open your map and hover over the Sanctuary Grove region, you should see a 100% completion marker fairly quickly. There isn't a long list of ravens or treasure maps. It’s mostly just that one flower for the Nine Realms in Bloom quest.
If your map still says 0% or 50%, look for:
- The Mirkweed: Like I said, check near Chaurli.
- Lore Markers: There might be a lingering lore read if you missed it in the early game, though usually, these are collected during the narrative path.
Actionable Next Steps for Completionists
If you want to wrap this up right now, follow this exact sequence. Don't deviate or you'll just end up fast-traveling back and forth to the Lake of Nine for no reason.
- Finish the Story: Ensure "Beyond Ragnarok" is your active goal in the journal.
- Visit Sindri’s House: Hit the chime to summon Ratatoskr. Talk to him until he repeats himself. He will give you the pouch of Yggdrasil seeds.
- Find a Gate: Any Mystic Gateway will do.
- Navigate to Midgard: Look for the "Undiscovered" or "Sanctuary Grove" icon on the left side of the map.
- Hold Circle: Unlock the gate using the new seeds.
- Grab the Mirkweed: It’s on the ground. You can’t miss the glow.
- Listen to the Dialogue: Walk around with Freya. Let the scene breathe.
Once you’ve grabbed the Mirkweed, you’ve basically exhausted the mechanical purpose of the area. You can now move on to the more difficult post-game challenges like the Remnants of Asgard or the remaining Berserker souls. The Grove is your breather before the real grind begins.