In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Skyview Towers are more than just glorified fast travel points. They’re your lifeline to uncovering the map, launching into the skies, and tapping into the verticality that defines Hyrule’s layered world. And few towers embody that sense of grounded complexity better than Popla Foothills Skyview Tower.

Buried in a web of traps, hidden mechanisms, and a not-so-obvious solution, this tower tests your observation skills more than your sword arm. But with the right prep and know-how, unlocking this one becomes a memorable moment rather than a frustrating footnote.

Let’s break down everything you need to activate the Popla Foothills Skyview Tower—step-by-step.

You’ll find the Popla Foothills Tower just south of the Hyrule Field region , nestled at the border of Faron Grasslands . The terrain here is deceivingly peaceful, filled with rolling hills, light woods, and shallow rivers. Coordinates:

• Popla Foothills Skyview Tower: x=0603, y=-2114, z=0098

Nearby landmarks:

• Popla Foothills Excavation Site

• Hills of Baumer

• Kakariko Village (North-East)

Be cautious when traveling here from the west; Bokoblin camps and Moblin patrols can make the route a bit dicey if you’re not armored up.

At first glance, this Skyview Tower seems perfectly operational. But walk up and try to activate it and you’ll quickly discover:

• The terminal is inactive.

• No elevator to launch into the sky.

• No clear explanation.

You’re stuck… unless you’re willing to look underground.

1. Find the Caged Man Underground
   Just west of the tower, there’s a small trapdoor hidden in the ground. Pop it open and head inside. You'll enter the Popla Foothills Excavation Site Cave .

2. Talk to Elmerson
   Inside the cave is a trapped worker named Elmerson . He’s stuck behind bars and needs your help to get out. No amount of bombs or weapon strikes will break the cage.

3. Locate the Pressure Plate Mechanism
   Nearby is a switch, but it’s not just a matter of stepping on it. You need to:

   • Drop a heavy object (like a rock or metal weapon)

   • Hold it down to release the gate

4. Free Elmerson and Exit
   Once the gate lifts, Elmerson will thank you and run up to the tower—fixing the terminal and activating it for use.

5. Return to the Tower and Launch
   Now that Elmerson has reset the tower’s systems, you can use the launchpad to shoot into the sky and fully activate the Popla Foothills Skyview Tower on your map.

The journey here is less about combat and more about smart travel. Still, here’s what we recommend:

Tip: Scan the region using your Purah Pad to tag enemy camps and avoid ambushes.

• Don’t bomb the cage: It wastes resources and won't work.

• Look for the cave opening directly west of the tower. It's partially hidden by rocks and grass.

• Use Recall on fallen rocks to quickly ascend some nearby ledges.

• Be patient with the trigger switch. It may take trial and error to keep the pressure plate held down.

Once you’ve activated the tower, glide outward and look for:

• Dracozu Lake Ruins – Ruins with rare Zonaite deposits.

• Faron Jungle Sky Islands – Home to rare wing-based Zonai devices.

• Kakariko Dusk Temple – Hidden shrine beneath the cliffs.

These areas contain not only lore bits but gear that complements builds focusing on stealth and sky mobility.

Use this tower to:

• Reach Thunderhead Isles during stormy weather windows.

• Connect glides to Mount Lanayru Skyview Tower via mid-air recharge zones.

• Scout dragon flyby routes—Dinraal occasionally soars over the region.

• Treasure Hunting: Chests refresh in nearby sky ruins.

• Moblin Camp Clearing: Aerial sneak drops from the sky are incredibly effective.

• Korok Delivery Chains: Popla Tower is the midpoint of multiple Korok seed paths.

The Popla Foothills Skyview Tower might seem unassuming compared to its more dangerous cousins, but its puzzle-style access and high-reward placement make it one of the most satisfying towers in Tears of the Kingdom. It blends classic Zelda-style problem solving with a strong sense of worldbuilding.

Next time you pass through the Faron region, make it your fast travel home base. The skies aren’t just for show—they’re your new Hyrule highway.