The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s iteration of Hyrule Castle offers plenty of things to see and grab, if you’re willing to look for them.
Note: There are no Breath of the Wild story spoilers here.
There’s no proper way to tackle Hyrule Castle in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, although you can walk straight in the front entrance and follow the winding path all the way up to the top. You’ll certainly see quite a bit, but that’s ignoring some of the best goodies to be had. Here are some stops you may want to make as you explore Hyrule Castle.
The Docks
Located on the bottom level and to the rear of the castle, the docks actually make for a great entry point. Not only are there a few treasures littered about, there’s actually a shrine — yes, a real shrine — to be found here. As you proceed up the path after getting out of the water, you’ll see a large unlit torch surrounded by lit torches. Light the large torch to reveal the Saas Ko’sah Shrine, which is another Major Test of Strength shrine. It’ll make it easier for you to return to Hyrule Castle if you cut and run.
The Library
Following the path past the Saas Ko’sah shrine will take you to a magnetic bookshelf you can push aside to enter the library. There are two more in the room. One leads to a mining area and a chest; the other opens up the king’s study. In the king’s study, you’ll find a gold rupee as well as the king’s diary. There’s an upper path to get out of this room. However, if you go out through the opening in the wall on the upper level, you can turn left and blow up some rocks for a chest.
The Dining Hall
If you follow the path out of the library, you can find the dining hall. You’ll also go through a room populated by a Moblin and a bevy of weapons of varying strengths. As its name suggests, you can find a lot of food here. Additionally, there’s an unlit cooking pot as well. Use it.
Lockup
Finding the lockup isn’t too difficult. Before you swim into Hyrule Castle’s docks, you can stop off to the right facing the castle and climb up to the entrance. There’s a stationary Guardian right outside — that’s how you know you’ve found it. Inside, use Cryonis to lift the first gate. To your left, you’ll see a Calamity Eye. Shoot it. To the right in the first cell, there’s a bombable wall as well to get into the second cell. Getting into the second cell on the left requires you to hit the switch. Bomb the wall in there to reach a chest. The fourth cell to the left contains the path out, after you shoot the Calamity Eye to reveal the switch. Your primary concern is at the end of the lockup, where you’ll find a circular chamber that contains the Stalnox.
It’ll throw its own bones at you and try and sit on you if you get too close. Shoot the eye, as is customary, to do damage. Eventually, the eye itself will fall out; hit it enough times to deal the final blow. Your reward comes in the form of weapons and the legendary Hylian Shield. Unfortunately, you can’t get two Hylian Shields from beating the Stalnox; if you have one in your inventory, you’ll only get the weapons.
Guards’ Chamber
Taking the path out of the lockup leads you to a room with water running down the wall. Use Cryonis pillars to climb up to the ladder, which will lead you to a switch that activates an updraft. Ride the draft up to reach the next level of Hyrule Castle, with a path outside and one that continues inside. The path that continues inside has a Calamity Eye on the ceiling as well as an unlit cooking pot.
The first set of stairs takes you down into the guards’ chamber. Unsurprisingly, there are a lot of weapons in here. Climb to the platform on the far side of the room for some chests, and also be sure to grab the chest under the stairs, hidden behind some vines.
The second set of stairs on this path leads outside, provided you use Cryonis on the gates first.
Gatehouses
Following the regular path up from the castle gates will lead you to the first and second gatehouses. The first has a blue Lynel; the second has a striped one. Both also have Calamity Eyes in them that you can shoot if you have time. (The second one, appropriately enough, has two eyes.) The Lynels will mess your day up if you’re not prepared. Climbing up to the top of the second gatehouse and going outside leads you to a chest as well.
West Passage
This is accessible from the main path right past the gates if you jump off to the left and swim to the entrance. You’ll find an unlit cooking pot, a chest, and a bombable wall in the West Passage. Hop into the mine cart and power it with Remote Bombs to reach a hot spring. Following the path past the spring and bombing the wall leads you back into the lockup.
East Passage
Balance in all things, right? The East Passage is on the lowest level of the castle, though you can’t just glide to it as you can with the West Passage. You’ll need to do some climbing, or you can glide down to it. If you head past the stationary Guardian and go over the natural bridge, you’ll find a bombable rock with a chest beneath it. Inside the East Passage, you’ll find another mine cart. Use Remote Bombs to ride it past a mining area and unlit cooking pot. At the end, you’ll find a Stone Talus. Shoot the shiny rock on its back. Your reward is a pile of gems and an updraft. Ride it up to a chest on one end and a passage leading to a Calamity Eye and another way into the library.
Princess Zelda’s Study
Getting to Zelda’s study is tough, but if you stay on the western side of the castle and use the convenient waterfalls and Revali’s Gale, you can bypass most of the trouble and climb in through the back window. Inside is Zelda’s diary, and there’s a forgotten memory on the path out of the study. Grab it, and then run into Zelda’s room, where there’s a chest with a silver rupee inside as well as some more goodies for you.
Sanctum
At the very top of the castle is the Sanctum, where Calamity Ganon waits. Going inside will trigger the end of the game, though even after finishing the game, your save will take you right back out here. There are multiple entrances, so if you make it to the top, you’ll find an entrance. Get ready for the boss.
Calamity Ganon
Should you be wise, you’ll have finished all four Divine Beasts before coming here. The benefit is twofold. First, the Divine Beasts will attack Calamity Ganon for you; getting all four knocks a full half off of this boss’ life bar. Second, you won’t have to face the four bosses of the Divine Beasts. (GameFAQs gamers have noted that you will have to fight any you haven’t defeated now if you haven’t already.)
Now, let’s talk defeating it. It has a fire sword that will set the ground aflame, so you can use the updrafts for some slowed-down shots. It’ll also slash at you; dodge them. It additionally has a Guardian-style beam, but Daruk’s Protection does reflect them. When it’s down to about a quarter of its HP bar, it’ll gain an aura and start climbing up the walls.
You have a couple options here. One is to use Urbosa’s Fury. The lightning does knock it down and lets you rush in. Additionally, when it attacks you, it will briefly (very briefly) drop its guard. You can prepare a Revali’s Gale or just quickly fire off a shot to knock it down. Finishing Calamity Ganon will not finish the fight, though.
Dark Beast Ganon
Really, did you think you’d get away with a single final boss fight? This is The Legend of Zelda. Dark Beast Ganon will face you outside. Zelda will grant you the Bow of Light, and you’ll have a horse show up as well. You’ll want the Bow of Light, but you can do this without a horse if you want.
Dodging the dark beast is generally pretty easy. On occasion (Zelda will tell you when it’s about to happen) several points of light will appear on its body. Shoot them with the Bow of Light. The last one, once you’ve gone around and shot the ones on the legs, will be on the belly. This exposes a Calamity Eye on the dark beast’s head. He will create an updraft for you with an attack, so glide up, slow down time, and take your final shot.
Next: Breath of the Wild: Vah Ruta guide
Then, pat yourself on the back, because you’ve just finished The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.