Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide to Reaching the Haligtree

The Haligtree in Elden Ring is one of the most challenging and rewarding areas to explore. Home to Malenia, Blade of Miquella, and a host of formidable enemies, reaching this hidden location is no easy feat. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step required to unlock and access the Haligtree, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the trials that await.

## Understanding the Haligtree’s Location and Requirements

The Haligtree isn’t simply marked on the map or accessed through a straightforward route. It’s located in the far north of the Lands Between and requires completing specific objectives to even gain access to the region containing it. The path involves venturing into the Consecrated Snowfield, a hidden area accessible only after obtaining both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion.

**Key Requirements:**

* **Progress through the main story:** While you don’t need to complete the entire game, you need to have progressed far enough to access the Mountaintops of the Giants.
* **Obtain the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Left):** Located in the Village of the Albinaurics in Liurnia of the Lakes.
* **Obtain the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Right):** Located in Castle Sol in the Mountaintops of the Giants.
* **Use the Grand Lift of Rold:** After acquiring both medallion halves, use the Grand Lift of Rold and select the “Hoist Secret Medallion” option to reach the Consecrated Snowfield.

## Step-by-Step Guide to Reaching the Haligtree

Let’s break down each step in detail:

### 1. Reaching the Mountaintops of the Giants

Before you can even think about the Haligtree, you must first reach the Mountaintops of the Giants. This is a story-related progression. Follow these steps:

* **Defeat Morgott, the Omen King in Leyndell, Royal Capital:** This is a mandatory boss fight in the capital city. After defeating him, Melina will direct you to the Mountaintops.
* **Rest at the Site of Grace:** After defeating Morgott and speaking with Melina, rest at the newly appeared Site of Grace in the boss arena.
* **Interact with the sealed gate:** Head to the large sealed gate at the north end of the Erdtree Sanctuary (where you fought Godfrey, First Elden Lord). Melina will perform an action to open the way further.
* **Proceed through the Forbidden Lands:** This area connects Leyndell to the Mountaintops. It’s a linear path, but be prepared for strong enemies.
* **Use the Grand Lift of Rold:** At the end of the Forbidden Lands, you’ll find the Grand Lift of Rold. Activate it to ascend to the Mountaintops of the Giants.

### 2. Obtaining the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Left)

The first piece of the Haligtree Secret Medallion is hidden in the Village of the Albinaurics, located in the southwest of Liurnia of the Lakes. This village is hidden beneath a large plateau and can be tricky to find.

* **Locate the Village of the Albinaurics:** From the Laskyar Ruins Site of Grace, head west towards the large plateau. You’ll find a hidden path leading down into a ravine. The village is located at the bottom of this ravine.
* **Navigate the village:** The Village of the Albinaurics is a decrepit, swampy area. Be cautious of the Albinauric enemies lurking in the shadows. They can be quite aggressive.
* **Find Albus:** Proceed further into the village, and you will encounter a large pot near a ruined building. Hit the pot to reveal Albus, an old Albinauric disguised as a pot. He will be reluctant to speak but will eventually give you the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Left).

### 3. Obtaining the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Right)

The second piece of the Haligtree Secret Medallion is located in Castle Sol, in the far north of the Mountaintops of the Giants. This castle is heavily guarded and requires you to defeat a challenging boss.

* **Reach Castle Sol:** Castle Sol is located in the northern part of the Mountaintops of the Giants. Follow the main path north, past the Freezing Lake and across a long bridge. You’ll eventually reach the castle gates.
* **Explore Castle Sol:** Castle Sol is filled with powerful enemies, including spectral knights and Lion Guardians. Navigate through the castle, making your way towards the upper levels.
* **Defeat Commander Niall:** At the top of Castle Sol, you’ll encounter Commander Niall, a formidable boss who summons two spectral knights to aid him. This fight can be challenging, so summon Spirit Ashes or co-op partners if needed. Use fire damage if you can.
* **Claim the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Right):** After defeating Commander Niall, proceed through the doorway at the back of the arena. You’ll find the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Right) on a corpse at the top of the tower.

### 4. Using the Grand Lift of Rold and Reaching the Consecrated Snowfield

With both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion in your possession, it’s time to use the Grand Lift of Rold to reach the Consecrated Snowfield.

* **Return to the Grand Lift of Rold:** Fast travel back to the Grand Lift of Rold Site of Grace, located at the end of the Forbidden Lands.
* **Hoist the Secret Medallion:** Approach the mechanism of the Grand Lift. You’ll now have the option to “Hoist Secret Medallion.” Select this option to activate the lift and descend to a hidden area.
* **Enter the Consecrated Snowfield:** The Grand Lift of Rold will take you down to the Consecrated Snowfield, a vast, blizzard-swept area. Be prepared for limited visibility and dangerous enemies. This area is perpetually covered in snow and visibility is severly impaired, making it easy to get lost.

### 5. Navigating the Consecrated Snowfield

The Consecrated Snowfield is a treacherous area filled with powerful enemies and obscured by a constant blizzard. Finding the path to the Haligtree requires careful exploration and navigation.

* **Locate the Map Fragments:** The Consecrated Snowfield map fragments are found by following the main road north from the lift. Stick to the main path to make it easier to navigate and you should encounter a monument containing the map.
* **Beware of Invisible Enemies:** The Consecrated Snowfield is home to invisible Black Knife Assassins. These enemies are difficult to spot, but you can reveal them using Sentry’s Torch or by paying close attention to their footprints in the snow. They are extremely dangerous. Use AOE attacks, or summons that can hit invisible enemies.
* **Follow the River of Rot:** To reach the portal to the Haligtree, you need to find the entrance to the hidden underground area. Head toward the northern part of the Consecrated Snowfield. Look for a frozen river of rot flowing north. Follow this river until you find the entrance to the **Yelough Anix Tunnel**.

### 6. Traversing the Yelough Anix Tunnel and Reaching the Hidden Path to the Haligtree

The Yelough Anix Tunnel is a short but challenging dungeon that connects the Consecrated Snowfield to the Hidden Path to the Haligtree.

* **Explore the Yelough Anix Tunnel:** The tunnel is filled with Albinauric enemies and guarded by a Putrid Avatar boss at the end. Defeat the enemies and the boss to proceed.
* **Find the exit:** After defeating the Putrid Avatar, continue through the tunnel to find the exit, which leads to the Hidden Path to the Haligtree.

### 7. Navigating the Hidden Path to the Haligtree

The Hidden Path to the Haligtree is a treacherous, winding path that leads to the Haligtree itself. Be prepared for difficult platforming sections, ambushes, and a challenging boss fight.

* **Proceed carefully:** The Hidden Path is a narrow, winding path with many precarious drops. Take your time and be careful not to fall off.
* **Defeat the Stray Mimic Tear:** Along the path, you’ll encounter a Stray Mimic Tear boss disguised as a common enemy. This boss can be tricky, as it will mimic your own character’s build and abilities. Use a weapon that you don’t normally use to make the fight easier.
* **Navigate the collapsing bridges:** The Hidden Path features several collapsing bridges that you must cross quickly before they crumble beneath your feet. Time your jumps carefully.
* **Descend into the depths:** The Hidden Path eventually leads down into a series of caves and tunnels. Continue descending, following the path deeper into the mountain.
* **Avoid the giant worms:** Beware of the Giant Land Octopus enemies that are found near the bottom of this area that can deal high damage.
* **Reach the Haligtree:** Finally, after navigating the Hidden Path, you’ll emerge into the Haligtree, a towering, golden tree that pierces the sky. Activate the Haligtree Base Site of Grace.

## Inside the Haligtree: A Glimpse of What Awaits

Once you’ve reached the Haligtree, you’ll find yourself in a sprawling, multi-layered environment filled with challenging enemies, valuable loot, and hidden secrets. The Haligtree is divided into several distinct areas:

* **Haligtree Canopy:** The upper reaches of the Haligtree, a network of interconnected branches and platforms. These are filled with many humanoid enemies that deal holy damage.
* **Prayer Room:** The central part of the Haligtree. Filled with powerful enemies and challenging encounters.
* **Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree:** A large town built into the base of the Haligtree, guarded by powerful Cleanrot Knights and other formidable foes.
* **Haligtree Roots:** A deep, cavernous area beneath Elphael, home to grotesque creatures and hidden paths.
* **Miquella’s Haligtree:** The final area of the Haligtree, where you’ll face the ultimate challenge: Malenia, Blade of Miquella.

## Tips for Surviving the Haligtree

The Haligtree is one of the most difficult areas in Elden Ring, so it’s important to be well-prepared before venturing inside. Here are some tips for surviving the challenges that await:

* **Level Up:** Ensure your character is at a high enough level to withstand the Haligtree’s enemies. Aim for at least level 120 or higher.
* **Upgrade your Weapons:** Fully upgrade your primary weapons to maximize your damage output. Use the best ashes of war that you can find. Make sure your weapon is at least +24 if its a normal weapon, and +9 if it’s a special weapon.
* **Upgrade your Spirit Ashes:** Spirit Ashes can be invaluable allies in the Haligtree. Upgrade your favorite Spirit Ashes to increase their survivability and damage output. Mimic Tear Ash is especially powerful, as its health scales with yours. Black Knife Tiche is also a good option due to its ability to decrease the maximum health of bosses.
* **Stock up on Consumables:** Carry a plentiful supply of healing flasks, FP flasks, and other useful consumables, such as Preserving Boluses, which cure and prevent Scarlet Rot, since there are areas of the Haligtree that inflict this status effect.
* **Equip appropriate armor:** Wear armor with high physical and holy damage resistance to mitigate the Haligtree’s enemies’ attacks. The tree sentinel set works well in this area.
* **Use buffs and incantations:** Use buffs, such as Golden Vow or Flame, Grant Me Strength, to enhance your damage output and defense. Incantations like Flame Cleanse Me can also be helpful for curing status ailments.
* **Learn enemy attack patterns:** Pay close attention to the attack patterns of the Haligtree’s enemies to anticipate their moves and dodge accordingly.
* **Explore thoroughly:** The Haligtree is filled with hidden secrets and valuable loot. Take your time to explore every nook and cranny to uncover all that it has to offer.
* **Summon assistance:** If you’re struggling to overcome the Haligtree’s challenges, don’t hesitate to summon Spirit Ashes or co-op partners for assistance.

## Conclusion

Reaching the Haligtree in Elden Ring is a challenging but ultimately rewarding endeavor. By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the treacherous path and face the formidable foes that await. The Haligtree is one of the biggest late game challenges, but it is a test of your skills as a Tarnished. Prepare yourself for the ultimate test of strength and embark on this epic journey to the heart of the Haligtree!