You're standing in Hateno Village. It's a peaceful spot, maybe the most peaceful in all of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. But if you wander behind the Kochi Dye Shop—the place where you probably spent way too many Rupees turning your tunic a questionable shade of navy—you'll find Clavia. She’s looking up at the snowy peaks of Mount Lanayru with a look that says she’s seen something she can’t quite explain.
Basically, she’s got a riddle. It’s about three trees and a treasure. This kicks off the Secret of the Cedars shrine quest, a puzzle that sounds way simpler than it actually is when you’re freezing your toes off on a cliffside.
Most players think they can just glide to the highest peak and find a chest.
They’re wrong.
Cracking the Secret of the Cedars Riddle
The riddle Clavia found in her old book is specific: "When the three summit trees become one, turn your back to them and head toward the sea. A trial encased in stone awaits you there."
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First off, you need to find those trees. Look north from Hateno. You’ll see three distinct cedar trees perched on the ridges of Madorna Mountain. They aren't bunched together. They’re actually lined up in a row leading toward the Afromsia Coast.
The "become one" part is all about perspective.
You have to position Link so that all three trees line up perfectly in your field of vision, appearing as a single silhouette against the snow. If you’re standing on the westernmost tree and looking east, they align.
Survival is the first step
Before you even think about climbing, check your inventory. Madorna Mountain isn't just chilly; it’s "lose a heart every thirty seconds" cold. You need Level 2 cold resistance.
You can’t just rely on the Warm Doublet you got from the Old Man back on the Great Plateau. Well, you can, but you’ll need to supplement it with a spicy meal—toss five spicy peppers in a pot for a quick ten-minute buff—or wear another piece of cold-weather gear like the Snowquill set from Rito Village.
Honestly, it’s easier to just buy the Snowquill Headdress if you have the cash.
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Finding the Tahno O'ah Shrine
Once you’ve reached those trees and lined them up, do exactly what the riddle says: turn your back to them. You should be facing east, looking down toward the Necluda Sea.
Don't just sprint blindly off the edge.
You’re looking for a very specific spot on the lower cliffs. As you head toward the Afromsia Coast, you’ll drop down a few ledges. Keep your eyes peeled for a cluster of evergreen trees that look a bit different from the sparse cedars at the summit.
The "trial encased in stone" is literal. You aren't looking for a doorway; you're looking for a wall of cracked, breakable rocks.
The "Aha!" Moment
When you find the rock wall at the base of the cliff, use a Remote Bomb. If you’re feeling fancy or don’t want to wait for the cooldown, a Bomb Arrow works too, though it’s a waste of resources in my opinion. Blow the wall sky-high to reveal the entrance to the Tahno O’ah Shrine.
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Inside, you won’t find a complex puzzle of gears or lasers. This is a "Blessing" shrine.
The developers figured that solving the riddle and surviving the mountain was the trial itself. Walk up to the chest. Inside, you’ll find the Climbing Boots.
If you’re trying to complete the Climbing Set (which includes the Climbing Gear and the Climber's Bandanna), these boots are essential. They increase your climbing speed significantly, which makes exploring the rest of Hyrule about 40% less tedious.
Common Pitfalls and Misconceptions
A lot of people get turned around because they think the shrine is at the summit. It isn't. It’s much lower down the mountain than you’d expect.
Another mistake?
Ignoring the Korok.
Right near the path the trees point toward, there’s often a Korok puzzle—usually a circle of lilypads in the water or a pinwheel. Many players get distracted by the "Ya-ha-ha!" and lose their bearings on the shrine quest. Stay focused on the eastward line until you hit that rock wall.
Also, don't bother looking for the shrine during a blizzard. The visibility on Mount Lanayru can drop to near zero, making it almost impossible to see the cracked texture of the breakable wall. Wait for a clear day or sit by a fire to pass the time.
Actionable Steps for Success
- Gear Up: Ensure you have Level 2 cold resistance via the Snowquill set or Spicy Elixirs.
- Talk to Clavia: She’s by the dock behind the Hateno Dye Shop during the day.
- The Alignment: Head to the westernmost cedar on Madorna Mountain and look east to see them "become one."
- The Descent: Follow that line east, dropping down the cliffs toward the sea until you hit a group of trees.
- The Reveal: Use a Remote Bomb on the cracked rock wall at the base of the mountain to open Tahno O'ah.
Once you've grabbed those Climbing Boots, you're halfway to becoming a mountain goat in Hylian form. If you haven't found the other pieces of the set yet, you'll want to head toward the Duel Peaks and the Hateno Sea next.