Curious about the map locations in Hollow Knight Silksong? As Hornet, the agile hunter, you’ll traverse the expansive, interwoven realm of Pharloom on a quest to vanquish the malevolent insects threatening its existence. Just like the thrilling combat, mastering navigation will be a significant challenge. Knowing your way around is crucial!
Much like its predecessor, you’ll frequently consult your map as you unlock new abilities, granting access to pivotal areas within Hollow Knight Silksong. We’ve meticulously gathered all available information on the Silksong map, outlining the optimal area progression to unveil every key location necessary for completing the main story (be warned, major spoilers lie ahead!). Expect to encounter formidable bosses in most of these zones. Additionally, we’ve pinpointed every spot where you can find Pharloom’s diligent cartographer, Shakra.
Before diving into the specifics, here’s a quick overview of the essential areas in Hollow Knight Silksong, presented in their optimal progression order:
- Moss Grotto
- The Marrow
- Deep Docks
- Far Fields
- Greymoor
- Bellhart
- Shellwood
- Blasted Steps
- Underworks West
- Choral Chambers
- Whiteward
- Underworks East
- Mount Fay
- Whispering Vaults
- High Halls
- Cogwork Core
- The Cradle
- Bilewater
- Weavenest Atla
- The Abyss
- Verdania
- Sands of Karak
Each of these colored zones on the full map represents a distinct biome, many equipped with convenient fast travel points to help you swiftly navigate Pharloom.
Moss Grotto
Moss Grotto serves as Hornet’s initial awakening point, immediately after she escapes her captors’ confinement. This verdant biome is blanketed in a thick layer of moss, coloring nearly every inch of its terrain and even some of its inhabitants in shades of green.
Keep an eye out for moss-covered walls that Hornet can shatter, as these often conceal pathways to uncharted territories. One such secret passage, for instance, leads directly to the game’s very first boss, so arrive prepared for a formidable challenge.
The Marrow
Connecting Moss Grotto and the Deep Docks, The Marrow is typically your second stop after traversing the initial starting zone. Here, the lush moss gradually gives way to rugged, rocky landscapes.
As you delve deeper, the intense heat radiating from the Deep Docks dramatically alters the environment. Keep an eye out for flowing lava, a sure sign you’re nearing the next region. What truly sets The Marrow apart are its unique, bone-like surfaces and the sharp-shelled, bone-armored enemies that inhabit it.
Deep Docks
In the scorching Deep Docks, flowing lava provides a perilous backdrop, capable of harming Hornet if she falls in. Enemies here are distinctly armored, some even donning bells as helmets. The environment itself is adorned with chains and metallic structures, hinting at the work of the Forge Daughter, a blacksmith who can provide Hornet with valuable items.
It’s within these fiery docks that you’ll have your first encounter with the swift and deadly Lace. Be prepared to dodge her rapid assaults in this memorable duel.
Far Fields
The relentless heat extends its influence into the Far Fields, where powerful lava currents generate fierce updrafts. Once Hornet acquires the Drifter’s Cloak by completing the Flexible Spines quest, she can harness these air currents to glide across the skies, accessing new, vibrant areas untouched by the Deep Docks’ lethal heat.
Before you can depart the Far Fields, a monumental confrontation awaits: the goliathan Fourth Chorus. This boss will truly test your mastery of your newly upgraded cloak.
Greymoor
Team Cherry themselves once described Greymoor as “one of the biggest regions we’ve ever created,” and it certainly lives up to the hype, spanning far wider than any preceding area in the game. Greymoor is characterized by at least two crumbling towers, patrolled by armed adversaries and unsettling roach-like insects.
This expansive zone also hosts Moorwing, a formidable early-game boss. To stand a chance, we highly advise first locating the Threefold Pin tool and the Thread Storm ability, both essential findings within Greymoor itself.
Bellhart
True to its name, Bellhart is a region dominated by countless bells. From the architectural details to the very ground you traverse, bells are the undeniable motif of this location.
Bellhart serves as a nexus, connecting to both Shellwood and Greymore, with a cleverly concealed third entrance leading to The Marrow via Bellhart’s Bellway. Prepare to challenge Widow here; defeating this avaricious arachnid will unlock the valuable Needolin. Bellhart also offers a memorable platforming challenge, requiring Hornet to strategically strike hanging bells to get around.
Shellwood
Beyond its charming flora and cheerful fisherfolk, Shellwood harbors a significant challenge: the thorny Sister Splinter. This boss battle demands not only skillful management of numerous spawned enemies but also keen awareness of the dynamic arena itself.
Crucially, Shellwood is where you’ll discover the Cling Grip ability, an indispensable asset for future progression. This skill is vital for accessing The Slab and ascending into the Blasted Steps—the concluding area of Act 1 (unless, of course, you uncover an alternate path via Sinner’s Road).
Blasted Steps
Enter the Blasted Steps, a desolate and wind-swept expanse where furious sandstorms rage. This intensely vertical region will thoroughly test your Cling Grip abilities as you ascend towards the Citadel. Precise timing is essential, as the fierce winds can easily disrupt your jumps.
The environment isn’t your only adversary here. You’ll also confront drill-headed Great Conchflies and the formidable Last Judge; the final boss of the first act. While traversing this area, consider a detour to the Pinstress’ house to acquire the invaluable Needle Strike charged attack.
Underworks West
Welcome to the Underworks, a place steeped in misery due to the brutally overworked and underpaid laborers toiling beneath The Citadel. Adding to the grim atmosphere, benches here are single-use (though they still serve as respawn points), and a confessional offers absolution for 25 Rosaries, urging you to repent through relentless labor. Fortunately, you won’t need to spend extra for the area map; it’s cleverly hidden by scaling the leftmost wall in your initial entry section.
During your first visit, only the western portion of the Underworks will be accessible. However, the eastern section will unlock as you progress through a few more distinct areas.
Choral Chambers
After enduring the Underworks, the Choral Chambers offer a welcome respite and a glimpse into The Citadel’s grandeur. You’ll likely spend a fair amount of time in this opulent zone, and for good reason: it’s home to the Grand Bellway, your first Bellway since entering Act 2, and the bustling settlement of Songclave.
Crucially, the Choral Chambers boasts one of the most efficient Rosary farming spots in the game, allowing you to quickly replenish your funds. Given the numerous vendor items available by this point, it’s an ideal moment to pause your main progression and acquire new gear or mask shards for Hornet.
At the highest reaches of the Choral Chambers, you’ll face the Cogwork Dancers. These graceful, whirring adversaries provide a satisfying challenge, and their defeat unlocks the subsequent phase of Silksong’s unfolding narrative.
Interestingly, Shakra does not sell the map for this region. Instead, upon entering the Choral Chambers, proceed to the far right of the first room, past a imposing sentinel-like foe. A ladder extending from the ceiling will become visible. Strike it, ascend into the Vaults’ attic, and then head left to locate a container from which you can purchase the map. Should you be short on Rosaries, don’t fret; the attic’s summit provides a shortcut back to Songclave, where you can easily replenish your funds.
Whiteward
Whiteward is a relatively small, transitional zone nestled between the Choral Chambers and the eastern Underworks. Despite its size, it’s home to the Injector Band, a potent tool that, when combined with the Multibinder, grants an additional healing mask without the usual time penalty. Shakra is absent from this area; instead, you’ll find the map in a room located northeast of the region, available for 70 Rosaries.
Underworks East
The eastern Underworks truly marks the point where Silksong’s world begins to unfurl. Venture here as soon as you can to unlock the Clawline, Hornet’s versatile needle harpoon. This incredible tool allows her to launch herself not only towards walls but also onto enemies, granting a strategic “free pogo” attack. While the natural progression leads back through the Choral Chambers to the now-accessible Cogwork Core (following the defeat of the Cogwork Dancers), a crucial detour awaits.
Mount Fay
With the Clawline in hand, you are now equipped to conquer Mount Fay and acquire the coveted double jump ability. This opens up a myriad of exploration opportunities that were previously either too dangerous or completely inaccessible. Mount Fay presents a demanding platforming challenge, serving as an excellent proving ground for your Clawline proficiency.
Shakra is conveniently located near your entry to the mountain, so ensure you have 40 Rosaries ready for her map. Additionally, bring another 90 with you to unlock the second checkpoint bench. For your ascent, remember that Flintslate offers temporary immunity to freezing—a valuable asset to secure. Also, when pogo-ing off flying enemies with the Clawline, resist the urge to press the jump button; doing so will prevent Hornet from reaching the full height of her jump. This technique might contradict your established platforming instincts, so take a moment to adjust.
Upon receiving the Faydown Cloak at Mount Fay’s summit, seize the chance to venture into unexplored territories and revisit familiar regions that may now reveal new secrets. If you’re planning to farm Rosaries, we suggest visiting Grindle’s store northwest of the Blasted Steps Bellway to purchase the Thief’s Mark tool to increase your yield.
Whispering Vaults
With your inventory replenished and skills honed, it’s time to acquire the three melodies essential for unlocking the climactic final confrontation. The first of these, the Vaultkeeper’s Melody, awaits you in the Whispering Vaults. This expansive, scroll-filled library challenges you to manipulate blocks, forging new paths that lead to unexpected discoveries. From here, you can not only return to the Underworks but also find a secret route directly into Bilewater—a definitively superior approach to reaching Bilewater’s Bellway if you’ve yet to brave Silksong’s most punishing region.
The Whispering Vaults hold further significance. Here, you’ll uncover your very first Pale Oil, a vital resource for upgrading Hornet’s needle. More importantly, it’s where you’ll cross paths with the game’s most beloved character: TROBBIOOOOOO!
Shakra does not offer the map for this area. Instead, upon entering the Whispering Vaults, proceed to the far right of the first room, past a imposing sentinel-like foe. A ladder extending from the ceiling will become visible. Strike it, ascend into the Vaults’ attic, and then head left to locate a container from which you can purchase the map. Should you be short on Rosaries, don’t fret; the attic’s summit provides a shortcut back to Songclave, where you can easily replenish your funds.
High Halls
Journey west from the Cogwork Dancers’ battleground to reach the High Halls, where the Conductor’s Melody awaits. This region is known for its treacherous, spiky sections, so tread carefully. While we’ll keep details about the High Halls’ climactic encounter under wraps, suffice to say it’s an opportune moment to collect some of the finest tools Silksong has to offer.
The map for the High Halls won’t be available until you’ve nearly fully explored the area. You can purchase it from a cabinet located near the bench in the region’s southeasternmost room.
Cogwork Core
The Architect’s Melody, the third and ultimate musical key, leads you into the Cogwork Core. This region presents a formidable platforming challenge, pushing your climbing and scaling abilities to their limits. The journey is considerably eased if you’ve already acquired the Faydown Cloak, so if you’re struggling, a quick trip back to Mount Fay is highly recommended.
Locate the Cogwork Core map in the bench room situated directly beneath where you confronted the Cogwork Dancers. Simply scale the ceiling opening just above and to the left of the bench to claim your map.
The Cradle
With all three melodies in your possession, the path to The Cradle is clear, leading you to the ultimate boss of Act 2. The map for this area, costing 70 Rosaries, is housed in a cabinet in the upper-left section of the region.
Defeating Pharloom’s Premier will grant you the first ending of Silksong. However, for a true 100% completionist experience, much more of Pharloom remains to be explored. It’s time to unlock Act 3 and venture into the regions that have remained secondary until now.
Bilewater
Our sincerest apologies, but to enter Act 3, you must brave the treacherous Bilewater and defeat its formidable frog-like boss, Groal. This is necessary to acquire the Seeker Soul, a key component for completing the Silk and Soul wish (rest assured, the other two components are significantly easier to find). Before even contemplating Bilewater, we strongly advise a detour into the Putrified Ducts to secure a highly specialized Silksong tool that will prove immensely helpful in navigating this notoriously difficult region.
If you haven’t already made it a habit, now is the time to thread your Rosaries for safekeeping—death is a frequent visitor here. Shakra is located in a room adjacent to Bilewater’s expansive vertical chamber, and her map will cost you 90 Rosaries.
Weavenest Atla
Ideally, you would have ventured into Weavenest Atla by this point. Eva offers a plethora of powerful Silksong crest upgrades once you accumulate sufficient Memory Lockets. This region is also where you’ll discover the Snare Setter, a crucial tool that can either be kept for personal use or surrendered as part of the Silk and Soul questline.
Accessing Weavenest Atla, located behind a formidable metal door in Moss Grotto, requires the Needolin. The area’s map is situated far to the right of the entrance corridor. Upon arrival, strike the two glowing cylinders extending from the ceiling to summon a monument you can interact with to claim your map.
The Abyss
Upon entering Act 3, you’ll discover a dramatically transformed Pharloom. After re-orienting yourself in familiar areas and formulating a strategy, it’s time to plunge into The Abyss. This dreaded region is a focal point of malevolence, and its unforgiving terrain makes navigation inherently challenging. The area map is cleverly hidden directly above your first encountered bench, accessible through a small ceiling gap—don’t overlook it!
Verdania
The once-magnificent kingdom of Verdania now stands in ruins, though you’ll have the chance to witness its vibrant past during The Old Hearts quest. Gaining entry requires completing a few prerequisites, so consulting a dedicated Verdania guide is advisable to ensure you’re fully prepared.
Interestingly, Verdania’s map isn’t located within its reconstructed form. Instead, journey directly east from its entry point through a cleverly hidden passageway. There, you’ll discover a bench and a deceased bug, still clutching the elusive map.
Sands of Karak
Your ultimate mandatory destination in Silksong is the Sands of Karak, home to the imposing Coral Tower. Don’t be surprised if this region evokes Anakin Skywalker’s aversion to sand, as its timed platforming segments can be quite challenging. However, if you’ve wisely acquired the Faydown Cloak, your experience should be significantly smoother. We also suggest obtaining the Ascendant’s Grip from Jubilana in Songclave prior to your visit.
The Sands of Karak map will likely be the final purchase from Shakra. After proceeding east from the region’s Blasted Steps entry point, you’ll enter its primary vertical shaft. Ascend into the first room on your left to find the cartographer. Be sure to have 90 Rosaries ready.
From this point, depending on your chosen order for completing The Dark Hearts quest, one more boss battle awaits before the grand finale. Although technically situated in Shellwood, reaching it requires traversing both the Underworks and the Grand Gate. Once all hearts are collected, only a swift journey back to Moss Grotto, a Bell Beast ride to the Deep Docks, and a final descent into The Abyss stand between you and ultimate victory.
How to Unlock the Map in Hollow Knight Silksong
Initially, Silksong’s lack of a map system can be disorienting, but this changes once you venture beyond Moss Grotto and into The Marrow. There, you’ll encounter Shakra, the invaluable navigator and cartographer who provides maps and mapping tools. You’ll recognize Shakra’s proximity by their distinctive throwing rings visible in the environment, and often, you’ll hear their unique singing before you see them.
At this stage, only the Moss Mother boss needs to be defeated, so there’s no pressure to confront the Bell Beast until you’re fully prepared. While Shakra initially appears in The Marrow, they will temporarily relocate to each new area you discover, offering you the chance to invest your hard-earned Rosaries in essential mapping supplies. If you ever need to find Shakra again, simply return to Bone Bottom, ascend to the raised platform, and strike the bell to summon them.
All Shakra Locations in Silksong
Shakra offers a total of 13 maps, though she appears in only 12 distinct locations. This is because both the Mosslands Map and The Marrow Map are available for purchase in The Marrow region. Once you’ve acquired all of Shakra’s maps, you can embark on their unique wish quest, “Trail’s End,” which rewards you with the useful Throwing Rings tool.
Shakra’s Essential Wares
Shakra’s inventory is indispensable for any aspiring cartographer in Pharloom. Here’s a breakdown of the vital items she offers:
- Mosslands Map: 40 Rosaries
- The Marrow Map: 50 Rosaries
- Deep Docks Map: 50 Rosaries
- Far Fields Map: 50 Rosaries
- Greymoor Map: 70 Rosaries
- Belhart Map: 40 Rosaries
- Shellwood Map: 70 Rosaries
- Blasted Steps Map: 70 Rosaries
- Mount Fay Map: 40 Rosaries
- Wormways Map: 70 Rosaries
- Sinner’s Road Map: 90 Rosaries
- Bilewater Map: 90 Rosaries
- Sands of Karak Map: 90 Rosaries
- Quill: (50 Rosaries) – Absolutely essential! Allows Hornet to fill in map details.
- Compass: (70 Rosaries) – Displays Hornet’s current position on the map.
- Bench Pins: (60 Rosaries) – Marks all discovered bench locations.
- Bellway Pins: (60 Rosaries) – Highlights all found Bellway fast travel points.
- Ventrica Pins: (80 Rosaries) – Identifies Ventrica fast travel locations.
- Vendor Pins: (80 Rosaries) – Marks the spots of all vendors.
- Shell, Ring, Hunt, Dark, Bronze Markers: (40-120 Rosaries each) – Customizable markers for important points of interest.
While the various markers are useful, prioritize purchasing all the maps and, most importantly, the Quill. Without the Quill, your maps will remain mere outlines, severely limiting their utility. Securing these core mapping tools is crucial for effective exploration.
You’ll need a significant sum of Rosaries to acquire Shakra’s full collection. Consider exploring effective Rosary farming strategies to expedite your purchases. Once you’ve bought everything Shakra has to offer, she will indicate that new items may become available as you uncover additional areas.
Understanding Silksong Map Icons
Beyond purchasing maps, Shakra also offers various markers to enhance your navigation. These markers are perfect for flagging areas with challenging enemies or points of interest you wish to revisit later.
Here’s a quick guide to what each icon represents on your Silksong map:
- Red Bench: Your designated rest and save points.
- Grey Bellway: Locations for quick, inter-area travel.
- Yellow Vendor: Marks where you can find merchants.
- Blue Flea Caravan: Indicates the start or presence of Flea quests.
Key Location Guides
For those seeking specific items or capabilities, detailed guides are available for:
- Fast travel points
- The Key of Apostate
- Pale Oil reserves
- Simple key and door puzzles
- Mask Shard fragments
- The double jump ability
This covers everything you need to know about the Silksong map for now! We’ll be sure to update this guide with any new information as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you’re looking for more incredible experiences like the original Hollow Knight, explore our recommendations for the best single-player games.