How to Get to Deeproot Depths in Elden Ring
Home → Elden Ring → How to Get to Deeproot Depths in Elden Ring
Elden Ring
How to Get to Deeproot Depths in Elden Ring
What to Do in Deeproot Depths
Deeproot Depths is one of Elden Ring’s most easily missed major areas — many players complete the entire game without visiting it because both routes require specific steps that are easy to overlook. The coffin route via the Valiant Gargoyles is the cleaner entry point and pairs naturally with Nokron exploration. The Shunning-Grounds route requires attacking a seemingly ordinary altar which most players never think to try. Whichever route you take, the area is worth the effort for Fia’s questline and the Prince of Death’s Staff — one of the best intelligence scaling catalysts in the game.
FAQ
⚡ Quick Answer
How to Reach Deeproot Depths
There are two routes: defeat the Valiant Gargoyles in Nokron’s Siofra Aqueduct and use the coffin at the waterfall behind the boss arena, or enter via a hidden passage in the Leyndell Subterranean Shunning-Grounds — drop through a hidden floor near the bottom of that area. The coffin route is the most straightforward.
1
Route 1 — Via the Valiant Gargoyles (recommended). First reach Nokron, Eternal City by defeating Radahn and descending through the meteor crater in Mistwood. Progress through Nokron to the Siofra Aqueduct area and defeat the Valiant Gargoyles.
2
Use the coffin behind the Gargoyle arena. After defeating the Valiant Gargoyles, look for a large coffin at the edge of the waterfall behind the boss arena. Interact with it — your character climbs inside and is carried over the waterfall into the Deeproot Depths. This is the only coffin teleporter in the game and leads directly to a Site of Grace at the entry to the area.
3
Route 2 — Via Leyndell Subterranean Shunning-Grounds. Enter the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds beneath Leyndell, Royal Capital — accessed through a well cover in the Avenue Balcony area. Descend through the dungeon to the very bottom section near the Mohg, the Omen boss fog gate. After defeating Mohg the Omen, find the altar behind him — attack the altar to reveal a hidden passage dropping you into the Deeproot Depths.
4
Activate the first Site of Grace immediately. Deeproot Depths is a large underground area with complex terrain — activate the entry Site of Grace before exploring. The area contains the Fia questline boss and important loot including the Crucible Knot Talisman and the Prince of Death’s Staff.
→
Complete Fia’s questline: Deeproot Depths is the final area of Fia’s questline. Speak to Fia in Roundtable Hold, receive her hug repeatedly, then find her here with the Fingerslayer Blade to progress toward the Age of Duskborn ending. The Lichdragon Fortissax boss fight — one of the game’s most visually stunning — is the questline’s climax.
→
Climb the great roots for loot: the area features enormous petrified roots you can walk along at great heights. Carefully traverse them to find the Crucible Knot Talisman, Prince of Death’s Staff (excellent for death sorceries), and several other valuable items hidden on ledges and platforms.
→
Watch for fall damage on the roots: the Deeproot Depths has frequent fall hazards on the massive root network. Move carefully along the edges and look before dropping to lower roots — many falls are fatal. The camera can be tricky in this area so adjust it frequently to see where you are stepping.
→
Recommended level 80–90: enemies in Deeproot Depths — including the Crucible Knights and Miranda Sprouts — are tough mid-to-late game enemies. Arrive with a +18 or higher weapon and Soul Level 80+ for comfortable exploration.
→
Connected to the Erdtree roots: the lore of Deeproot Depths reveals the underground root system of the Erdtree — a vast network of fossilised roots that forms the foundation beneath the Lands Between. It is one of the most atmospheric areas in the game and rewards thorough exploration for both lore and items.
How many ways are there to get to Deeproot Depths?
There are two routes: via the coffin behind the Valiant Gargoyles boss arena in Nokron’s Siofra Aqueduct, and via a hidden passage revealed by attacking an altar at the bottom of the Leyndell Subterranean Shunning-Grounds after defeating Mohg the Omen. Both lead to the same area.
Do I need to beat Radahn to reach Deeproot Depths?
Only if you use the coffin route via Nokron — Radahn must be defeated to open Nokron. If you use the Leyndell Shunning-Grounds route you do not need to defeat Radahn, only Mohg the Omen at the bottom of the dungeon beneath Leyndell.
What is the coffin in the Valiant Gargoyles arena?
After defeating the Valiant Gargoyles, a large stone coffin sits at the edge of the waterfall behind the arena. Interacting with it places your character inside and the coffin floats over the waterfall, transporting you directly to the entry Site of Grace in Deeproot Depths — one of the most unique travel mechanics in the game.
Is Deeproot Depths required to beat Elden Ring?
No — Deeproot Depths is optional for most endings. However, it is required to complete Fia’s questline and access the Age of Duskborn ending, which involves defeating Lichdragon Fortissax in this area. It also contains the Prince of Death’s Staff and other valuable items worth collecting.