Siofra River is the first of the great underground rivers most players find, and you can reach it long before you are ready for the rest of the game. A single lift in Limgrave takes you under the star-lit sky of the Nox ruins, where you can light the Hallowhorn braziers, fight the Ancestor Spirit and pick up a map fragment. This guide shows where the entrance is, the graces in order, and every way out.
| Requirement | None: open from the start of the game |
| Main entrance | Siofra River Well, just north of the Minor Erdtree in Mistwood (east Limgrave) |
| Graces | Siofra River Well Depths; Siofra River Bank; Worshippers’ Woods; Below the Well |
| Bosses | Ancestor Spirit (Hallowhorn Grounds); Dragonkin Soldier (via the east waygate) |
| Boss rewards | Ancestral Follower Ashes; Dragon Halberd |
| Map fragment | Map: Siofra River, at the foot of the stairs to Hallowhorn Grounds |
| Other exit | Lift up to the Deep Siofra Well, near Below the Well (needs 2 Stonesword Keys) |
| Linked area | Nokron, Eternal City (the ruins above), only after Starscourge Radahn |
Where is the Siofra River entrance?
The entrance is the Siofra River Well, a small stone structure in Mistwood, the forest in eastern Limgrave. It stands just north of the Minor Erdtree there. Inside is a lift platform: step on it and it carries you all the way down. You do not need a key, a medallion or any boss kill to use it.
- Ride into Mistwood in eastern Limgrave and head for the Minor Erdtree.
- Go a short way north of the tree until you see the stone well structure.
- Step onto the lift platform inside. The ride down is long, so wait for it to stop.
- Rest at the Siofra River Well Depths grace at the bottom.
- Follow the path out to the river and keep going to the Siofra River Bank grace.
Siofra River route and graces in order
The river runs from the south-west, where the lift drops you, toward the north-east. Rest at each grace as you reach it so you do not have to repeat the whole walk:
- Siofra River Well Depths: at the bottom of the lift.
- Siofra River Bank: along the river past the first stone structures. The first brazier pillar and the stairs up to Hallowhorn Grounds are close by.
- Worshippers’ Woods: further along, in the area with several more brazier pillars and Ancestral Followers with bows.
- Below the Well: in the north-east, next to the lift that goes up to the Deep Siofra Well.
How to unlock the Ancestor Spirit (Hallowhorn braziers)
The main event in Siofra River is a puzzle. Eight pillars with braziers stand around the river, and each one lights when you interact with it. The first is just east of the Siofra River Bank grace; the others are spread across the islands, cliffs and the woods around Worshippers’ Woods and Below the Well. Some are guarded by Ancestral Followers, so approach the archers from the side or behind.
- Light all eight brazier pillars.
- Wait for the message “Power gathers somewhere in horned remains”.
- Go up to Hallowhorn Grounds and touch the glowing deer carcass at the end of the ruins.
- Pass the fog gate and fight the Ancestor Spirit.
- Collect your reward, the Ancestral Follower Ashes spirit ash.
On the way up, check the bottom of the Hallowhorn Grounds staircase for Map: Siofra River. Our map fragment locations guide lists the rest. A stronger version of this boss, the Regal Ancestor Spirit, uses the same brazier puzzle inside Nokron later on.
How to leave Siofra River
- Back up the lift: the Siofra River Well lift returns you to Mistwood.
- Deep Siofra Well: beside the Below the Well grace a second lift takes you up to the Deep Siofra Well in northern Caelid. Its platform is sealed and needs 2 Stonesword Keys. For the other ways into the region, see how to get to Caelid and Dragonbarrow.
- East waygate: a waygate on top of ruins on the east side of the river teleports you to a hidden section where the Dragonkin Soldier waits. He drops the Dragon Halberd.
- Fast travel: once you have rested at any grace down here, you can warp in and out freely.
Siofra River vs Nokron: what is the difference?
The ruined city you see floating above the river is Nokron, Eternal City. You cannot climb up to it from Siofra River. Nokron opens only after you defeat Starscourge Radahn, which creates Starfall Crater in Limgrave; our how to get to Nokron guide covers that route, the Mimic Tear and the Fingerslayer Blade. The other great underground river is reached from Liurnia; see how to get to Ainsel River and the Lake of Rot.
Siofra River checklist
- Find the Siofra River Well north of the Mistwood Minor Erdtree and ride the lift down.
- Rest at Siofra River Well Depths, Siofra River Bank, Worshippers’ Woods and Below the Well.
- Pick up Map: Siofra River at the Hallowhorn Grounds stairs.
- Light all eight brazier pillars, then touch the deer carcass for the Ancestor Spirit.
- Optional: use the east waygate to fight the Dragonkin Soldier for the Dragon Halberd.
- Bring 2 Stonesword Keys if you want the Deep Siofra Well lift.
- Come back after Radahn to reach Nokron.
Related: Siofra River is full of Ghost Glovewort for upgrading spirit ashes like the Ancestral Follower Ashes; see our Glovewort locations guide.
FAQ
Do you need to beat Radahn to reach Siofra River?
No. The Siofra River Well lift in Mistwood works from the start. Radahn only unlocks Nokron, Eternal City, the ruins above the river.
How many braziers are there in Siofra River?
Eight. Light every one and the game tells you that power gathers in the horned remains, which opens the Ancestor Spirit fight at Hallowhorn Grounds.
Where does the Deep Siofra Well lift go?
It rises from beside the Below the Well grace to the Deep Siofra Well in northern Caelid (Dragonbarrow), instead of back to Limgrave. The platform is sealed until you use 2 Stonesword Keys.
Where is the Siofra River map fragment?
On a stele at the bottom of the staircase that climbs to Hallowhorn Grounds, a short walk from the Siofra River Bank grace.
Source: entrance, graces, brazier puzzle and exits checked against Fextralife’s Elden Ring wiki plus wiki.gg and Gamer Guides. Rune rewards and a recommended level differ between guides, so we left them out.
Further reading: Siofra River on the Fextralife Elden Ring wiki.