Lake Hylia is one of the most famous locations in the Zelda series. It’s recurred in multiple installments, usually with submerged water-based dungeons, making the lake a key destination in Link’s many quests. In Breath of the Wild, there may not be a temple hidden in Lake Hylia’s depths, but it still managed to become an unforgettable landmark in Hyrule.
Instead of finding a submerged temple, you will find a piece of impressive Hylian architecture that gives you a glimpse into the past, and you will encounter one of the three spirit dragons: Farosh. Just like every sighting of the spirit dragons, seeing Farosh glide in and out of the lake is truly a memorable experience. It makes you want to revisit Lake Hylia over and over again.
Lake Hylia is easy to miss early in the game, as it’s not directly en route to Kakariko Village (your first destination after the Great Plateau). But it’s also easy to find since it’s so close to the plateau and its huge archway entrance and lake are pretty eye-catching from a distance if you let your curiosity take control of the camera. Once you do, some breathtaking sights await you.
A grand stone bridge stretches the expanse of the lake, making it an ideal route to travel from West Necluda to Faron Grasslands. It’s really remarkable to see, and it gets you thinking about Hylian architecture. The sheer height of the bridge is incredible, no doubt taking years to construct, and when you look closely at various parts of the bridge and its arches, the work is quite intricate.
The archways bear the Royal Crest, linking these constructs to the Royal Family of Hyrule, indicating it was likely funded by them and built on their behalf. It’s a small detail, but one that adds some nice world-building, showing how they have made valuable contributions to the world.
The center of the bridge is also an interesting spot, with a large circular area and what was undoubtedly once a fountain. This was probably a good pit stop for travelers and tourists, who would come to admire the expansive lake and its surrounding sights — from ordinary yet beautiful rolling hills and cliffs to more noteworthy landmarks that are visible in the distance, such as the Temple of Time, Death Mountain, and the Dueling Peaks. I can even imagine traveling merchants setting up shop temporarily at this central place on the bridge to trade with travelers and admire the views themselves.
Sadly, the bridge and its archways are in slight disrepair and patrolled by monsters, but given that it has been standing for at least 100 years, it’s a pretty impressive structure. Not even the vast lake has decayed its piers — the bridge is still fully intact and navigable.
The bridge and the views you can experience on it are certainly part of what makes Lake Hylia memorable, but what truly elevates it above other landmarks is the appearance of Farosh, the golden-green spirit dragon. If you’re lucky enough when visiting Lake Hylia, you will see Farosh emerge from beneath the water and circle the bridge, gliding in and out of the lake. It’s truly a beautiful encounter.
This is one of the few locations where you can get incredibly close to one of the dragons, without having to glide around or climb, that is. Farosh will fly right over the bridge, close enough for you to practically touch it, which is simply incredible to see. Combine that with the mystical, calming music that plays when one of the dragons is near, and you feel like you’re in the presence of something otherworldly and spectacular.
From the exceptional architecture to the awe-inspiring appearance of a goddess-named dragon, Lake Hylia truly is a memorable location that deserves its place on the map.
