So you just beat the False Knight, grabbed that Vengeful Spirit spell from the Snail Shaman, and now you’re staring at a wall of lush, green vines. Welcome to Greenpath. It’s a massive change of pace from the dreary, blue-grey stones of the Forgotten Crossroads. Suddenly, everything is alive, humming, and—honestly—mostly trying to kill you with acid or teeth.
Entering this zone is the first time Hollow Knight really opens up. It’s intimidating. You see a mysterious red-cloaked figure darting behind a pillar, and you’re probably thinking, "Wait, should I be following her or looking for a map?" The answer is usually both, but there’s a specific rhythm to this place that keeps people from losing their mind (and their Geo).
💡 You might also like: The Millennial Mountains Genshin Quest Is Actually Kind of a Headache (And Here Is How to Fix That)
Navigating the Greenpath Walkthrough Without Losing Your Soul
First things first: you can't just wander in. You need that Vengeful Spirit spell to blast the Elder Baldur blocking the path on the left side of the Crossroads. Once he’s out of the way, you’re in.
The most immediate threat isn't even the enemies; it's the environment. Greenpath is basically a giant acid pit with some leaves floating on top. If you fall in, you take damage and respawn on the last solid ground you touched. It’s annoying. You’ve gotta get used to the "pogo" mechanic—hitting things downward with your nail to bounce—though you won't need it for the acid yet. Just focus on your platforming.
Where is Cornifer?
Look for the paper. Seriously. Cornifer is tucked away in the lower-right section of the main Greenpath hub. If you hear humming, you're close. He sells the map for 60 Geo. Buy it immediately. Without it, you are basically walking blind through a jungle that wants to eat you.
After you grab the map, head up and to the left. You’ll keep seeing that girl in the red cloak—Hornet. She’s leading you on a chase, but don't rush. There are breakable walls everywhere. One of the best early finds is the Hunter’s Journal. You’ll find a massive creature called The Hunter in a cave toward the bottom-right. He doesn’t fight you; he just gives you a book and tells you to go kill stuff. It’s a great way to track your progress.
The Hornet Fight and the Mothwing Cloak
This is the big one. The "skill check" of the early game. You’ll find Hornet in the far northwest of the map. The arena is wide, which is good, because she moves fast.
She has a few moves that will absolutely wreck you if you’re greedy:
- The Dash: She zips across the floor. Jump over her.
- The Thread Attack: She releases a spherical web around her. Stay back.
- The Needle Throw: She hurls her weapon and pulls it back. This is your best chance to heal if you're on the other side of the room.
Basically, don't try to tank her. Hit once, maybe twice, and back off. Once you win, you get the Mothwing Cloak. This gives you the dash ability, which changes everything. You can finally clear those gaps that looked impossible five minutes ago.
👉 See also: Why the Madden NFL 07 Soundtrack is Still the Peak of Sports Gaming Music
Essential Items You Shouldn't Skip
Don't just leave after beating Hornet. There’s a lot of loot hidden in the greenery.
- Thorns of Agony: This charm is in a room filled with literal thorns. You need the dash to get through the maze. It’s great for beginners because it deals damage back to enemies whenever you get hit.
- Stag Station: It’s located near the top left. Unlock it for 140 Geo. It saves you a massive walk back to Dirtmouth.
- The Lake of Unn: Far to the west, there’s a peaceful lake. You can’t do much here yet, but there’s a bench and some lore. It’s a nice breather.
- Vessel Fragment: Down in the southern part of Greenpath, there’s a fragment that helps increase your maximum Soul. You’ll need to do some tricky platforming over acid to reach it.
Common Mistakes in Greenpath
People often try to reach the Stone Sanctuary too early. It’s dark in there. Unless you’ve somehow farmed enough Geo to buy the Lumafly Lantern from Sly back in Dirtmouth (which costs 1800 Geo—good luck with that this early), you’re going to be stumbling around in the dark and falling into spikes. Save it for later.
Another thing: Moss Knights. These guys are the big bushes with shields. They look scary, and they are scary if you just mash the attack button. They have a three-hit combo that will delete your health bar. The trick? Hit their shield to bait an attack, dash away, then hit them while they’re recovering. Or just blast them with Vengeful Spirit. Magic is your friend here.
What to Do After Greenpath
Once you have the Mothwing Cloak, the world of Hallownest actually starts to make sense. Your next logical step is heading down towards the Fungal Wastes. You can get there by going through the bottom-right exit of Greenpath, passing through a bit of Fog Canyon (don't touch the big jellyfish!), and finding the Queen's Station.
✨ Don't miss: Game of Thrones: Conquest Is Still Stressful and I Can’t Stop Playing It
Next Steps for Your Journey:
- Backtrack to the Crossroads: Use your new dash to reach the heights you couldn't jump to before. There's a Grub or two waiting for you.
- Visit Salubra: She's in the bottom-right of the Crossroads. Now that you have a couple of charms, she might sell you a Charm Notch to let you equip more at once.
- Save your Geo: The next few areas have some expensive tolls and even more expensive charms. Don't go losing your shade in a pit of acid.