The 10 most dangerous locations in Breath of the Wild

Monsters, ruins, extreme weather, Guardians, and Malice — danger comes in many forms in the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. As Link adventures around Hyrule, it’s hard to know what lurks around each corner. Especially in the early stages of the game, when everything seems life-threatening. As skill levels increase and Link attains more Heart Containers, skills, and inventory, it doesn’t necessarily get easier to survive.

There are many areas on the map that offer constant threats that will test even the most seasoned players. Divine Beasts are obvious places of danger. But Link must always be on guard, as not every location is as innocent or peaceful as it may seem at first glance. 

10. Breach of Demise

Littered with monster camps, there is hardly any reprieve for Link as he fights his way through this area. The Breach of Demise is off of the main crossroads in the western part of the map. With a shrine nearby and a seemingly easy passage to Central Hyrule, it may seem like no big deal to pass through this area. But its dangers certainly live up to their name. Bokoblins have made camps in the area that ensure no one can pass through unscathed.

There is a Bird-Man Research Study mini-game at the top of Ridgeland Tower. The researcher wants to see how far a man can fly — a man that is not a Rito, that is. He sends LInk off of the tower, over the Breach of Demise, only for him to land right into the monster’s den. The bird-man researcher is quite savage to send Link off on this path and toward this valley of doom all in the name of his research. In an act of mercy, he at least teleports LInk back up to the tower instead of leaving him to the devices of the Bokoblins galore that inhabit this gulch.

9. Akkala Coastal Islands

Fans of rickety, narrow bridges high above the sea and Guardian Skywatchers will find a lot to love off of the east coast of Akkala in the Lanayru Sea. From south to north, there is an archipelago that consists of Davidi Island, Knuckel Island, Ankel Island, and Tingel Island. While they appear deserted at first, these islands feature more than a few dangers.

Navigating their rough landscape and narrow bridges in the higher winds that seem to plague this region is tough, to say the least. The challenge is multiplied by trying to avoid the Guardian Skywatchers patrolling the area. Once Link navigates around their sights and takes out any waiting monsters, it’s smooth sailing to discover what is hiding in these islands.

8. Typhlo Ruins

Wandering around in the dark doesn’t sound so bad. That changes when Link realizes that he is walking a blind path. And on that path, there are monsters he can’t see, ready to take him out at every turn. Typhlo Ruins ratchets the terror factor way up, as torches and Flameblades only offer some light. 

Even with limited light from weapons, it is difficult to navigate the tricky terrain and anticipate where enemies big and small may lurk. Any player afraid of the dark might be tempted to skip this area of the map, but finding out what’s hiding in the shroud of darkness is worth the risk. 

7. Thundra Plateau

How does one survive an attack when the enemy is a raging lighting storm that has been going for generations? Add to that the need to complete a trial that almost requires the player to attract said thunder to their person, and Link will find himself in a treacherous situation.

If the player hasn’t obtained the Thunder Helm or the set bonus for the Rubber gear set, they’ll be rolling the dice trying to complete the Trial of Thunder without taking too much damage. But the reward is just, as once that trial is completed, a shrine full of treasures appears before them.

6. Eventide Island

Adventuring to Eventide Island is only a small part of the battle.  Once Link arrives, he is dumped on its shores without so much as a shred of clothing, a trusty weapon, or a crumb of food. Being able to survive after being stripped of everything is the true challenge.

While the climate is thankfully not against Link, there are plenty of monsters to test his resolve. Being stealthy and hiding will only get him and the player so far. If the player hopes to unlock Eventide’s secrets, they will need to engage and defeat its inhabitants. Link just needs to hope the Blood Moon doesn’t arrive, or he will be in for a long stay.

5. Forgotten Temple

This uninhabited valley doesn’t look like anyone has crossed its threshold in many years. That’s for a good reason: Other than Hyrule Castle, anyone would be hard-pressed to think of a location with so many Guardians close to one another.

It is near impossible to navigate these ruins without engaging multiple guardians at once. But all hope is not lost. Practicing his parrying abilities and equipping Master Sword to take down the Guardians are Link’s best options in this next step toward ridding Hyrule of danger. 

4. Yiga Clan Hideout

Being a master of stealth is anyone’s best chance at finding and fighting Master Kohga. The Yiga Clan keep their hideout well guarded and are masters at keeping it protected. If Link is caught, it is almost guaranteed to end in a game over. Exits will also be secured, leaving him trapped in a room with a Yiga Blademaster, who is quick to smite the hero with a one-hit KO when they land their blow.

There is a trick to help navigate the space: Stock up on Mighty Bananas to create distractions as the guards make their rounds. Otherwise, the player will need to equip their stealthiest garb, eat their sneakiest meal, and practice constant vigilance to make it through the perils of this hideout unscathed.

3. Floret Sandbar

In the middle of a river rests a beautiful field of flowers on a peaceful sandbar. There is also a shrine, ready for someone to solve its mysteries. What could go wrong or be dangerous here? Anyone who disturbs the flowers enough will be met by the wrath of a non-player character named Magda. Getting to the shrine requires careful planning on Lin’s part so as not to step on the flowers.

Magda’s eyes will closely follow Link’s every step. She will get progressively angrier, to the point of attacking Link if he continues to step on her precious flowers. Considering that this flower garden is likely her only sanctuary in an otherwise desolate landscape, perhaps everyone can cut her a little slack on how maniacal she becomes over her flowers. Or, on the other hand, maybe not. Players can decide after experiencing her dangerous ways firsthand.

2. Great Plateau

Serving as basic training for the rest of the game, the Great Plateau has a wide range of climates, monsters, and other dangers hidden within its borders. After Link emerges from his 100-year slumber, he is not quite at full strength and has no strong weapons or armor to speak of. He has to relearn all of his skills, including cooking, and forage for ingredients, weapons, and better clothing, to survive. Pair those challenges with climate changes and monster camps and he has no choice but to learn how to be resourceful.

The plateau is also home to a lone Stone Talus lying in wait. At the beginning of the game, it’s best to leave it be until Link has regained his strength. But perhaps the most perilous part of the Great Plateau is the fact that Link has no way to survive getting down. Plummeting to one’s doom doesn’t sound like a good way to go before starting an adventure. Completing the Old Man’s earns Link a safety sail to Hyrule proper and the next steps in the journey. 

1. Hyrule Castle

As home to Calamity Ganon for the past 100 years, there’s no way around Hyrule Castle being one of the most dangerous places on the map. Once a beacon of light, with a dutiful royal family in place, and a bustling town surrounding it, Calamity Ganon’s presence has turned it into the exact opposite. Overrun with Malice, Guardians, and a plethora of other lesser monsters, it has become a place synonymous with evil and danger.

Navigating the crumbling castle and its surrounding grounds is a surreal experience, as it is impossible to predict what is waiting for in each room and on each level. There’s also the small matter of Calamity Ganon himself. His influence is everywhere in the castle. And then there’s the task of eliminating Ganon from existence, which is perhaps the pinnacle of danger within the game. But Link has to prove that no danger can stand in the way of him and his destiny.