How To Get Through Lost Woods TOTK With The Correct Route

Navigating the mystical Lost Woods has always been a signature challenge in the Legend of Zelda series, but Tears of the Kingdom introduces a dramatic twist to this classic puzzle. Unlike previous adventures where players could follow the wind currents or torch embers on the surface, the thick fog now completely rejects any direct entry. To reach the Korok Forest and help the Great Deku Tree, resourceful adventurers must alter their perspective and look for an unconventional path from below.
Descending Into the Minshi Woods Chasm
Since the surface path is entirely blocked by an impassable barrier of thick white fog, your journey begins just outside the forest borders. Head along the main road leading north from the Woodland Stable until you reach the landmarks of the Minshi Woods. Here, you will discover a dark fissure in the earth known as the Minshi Woods Chasm, which serves as your gateway to the subterranean world.
Leap boldly into this chasm and deploy your paraglider to manage your descent safely into the gloomy Depths below. As you approach the floor, look immediately for a trail of glowing blue Poes winding their way toward the north. These spectral objects are not just collectibles, but act as vital guiding markers to keep you oriented in the darkness.
Navigating the Gloomy Depths
The underground landscape beneath the forest is filled with dangerous patches of red Gloom that can actively reduce your maximum health. To navigate this area safely, you can visit a nearby Zonai device storeroom located just to the left of the main path. Utilizing these vehicles or simply building a basic hover platform will help you glide across the corrupted terrain without taking damage.
As you move along the designated trail, you will eventually reach a stone structure covered in thick roots known as the Korok Grove. It is highly recommended to approach this location carefully because dangerous Gloom Hands frequently ambush travelers in the immediate vicinity. If you are not fully prepared for a high-stakes battle, using speed-boosting elixirs to run directly past the threat is an excellent strategy.
Ascending Into the Korok Forest
Once you arrive safely at the heart of the structure, look upward to spot a prominent stone pillar extending downward from the ceiling. Position Link directly underneath this platform at the coordinates 0437, 2094, -0588 to prepare your final movement. Activating your unique Ascend ability here allows you to pass straight through the solid rock ceiling above.
When the transition finishes, you will emerge safely in the beautifully sunlit center of the Korok Forest right before the Great Deku Tree. To ensure you never have to make this long underground trek again, immediately walk over and activate the Musanokir Shrine. This unlocks a permanent fast-travel point, allowing you to return instantly whenever you need to continue your local quests.