The first time you step out of the lift and see Siofra’s faux night sky, it feels like the game is keeping a secret just for you. This isn’t a tiny cave with a chest at the end. It’s a sprawling underworld with ghostly ruins, horned tribes, and puzzle obelisks that wake a stag made of stars. This guide gives you everything you need to plan the trip — where it is, how to reach it fast, what to grab first, and how to clear the flame puzzle without getting skewered by archers.

Siofra River is an underground region beneath East Limgrave and parts of Caelid. You reach it through two elevator wells — one in Mistwood (Limgrave) and another in northern Caelid. It’s home to the Ancestor Spirit boss and a hidden Dragonkin Soldier arena, plus a map fragment, crafting mats, and a handful of smart shortcuts. For many players, Siofra is the gateway to a string of underground zones that includes Nokron and Ainsel River later on.

Limgrave — Siofra River Well

From East Limgrave’s Mistwood, ride north toward the Minor Erdtree. You’ll see a circular stone building labeled Siofra River Well. Take the elevator down, then ride the second lift to reach Siofra River Well Depths.

Caelid — Deep Siofra Well (alternate):

In northern Dragonbarrow (Caelid) sits the Deep Siofra Well. Unlock the elevator with a Stonesword Key and descend. This drops you into the upper reaches of Siofra’s north side. It’s rougher; try the Limgrave route first if you’re earlier in the game.

• Character level: ~50–60 is comfortable, though skilled players can enter earlier.

• Weapon upgrades: around +8 to +12 on normal weapons keeps fights practical.

• Loadout tips: Bring a bow or greatbow for far‑off archers, a shield for chip damage, and a torch for dark corners. A horse isn’t available everywhere, but where it is, use it to control distance.

Grab the map early so you can stop guessing at paths.

• From Siofra River Bank site of grace, head east toward the wide staircase that leads up to the Hallowhorn Grounds.

• The map fragment sits on a corpse near the base of those stairs. Watch for patrols; snag it and backtrack to safety.

You’ll notice tall stone obelisks scattered through the forest. Each has a small brazier at its base. Light all eight braziers and something changes: “power gathers somewhere in horned remains.” That message points you to the Hallowhorn Grounds — an antlered altar that wakes when the flames are lit. Touch the stag’s body there to transport into the Ancestor Spirit boss arena.

• Siofra River Well Depths — arrival platform; safe to catch your breath.

• Siofra River Bank — central hub near the flame obelisks.

• Worshippers’ Woods — close to a cluster of braziers and item runs.

• Below the Well — useful if you loop back after exploring the riverbed.

• Arrive at Siofra River Well Depths. Rest and take in the layout.

• Push to Siofra River Bank. Clear a lane, tag the grace.

• Grab the map fragment at the base of the Hallowhorn stairs. Now you can plan.

• Light the southern braziers first. These are closest and less exposed.

• Circle counter‑clockwise along the woods, using rock cover to break sight lines from archers.

• Use the overpass teleporter to skip crowded riverside crabs and pop out near the north cluster.

• Finish the northern braziers, then return to Hallowhorn Grounds.

• Touch the stag to enter Ancestor Spirit and claim your reward.

• Optional: hunt the Dragonkin Soldier via the northern sub‑area portal if you want another boss check.

• Move from cover to cover. Their arrows hit like trucks and track hard at long range. A rock or pillar is your best friend.

• Greatbows and spirit summons help create openings. If a summon draws aggro, you get a free lane to a brazier.

• Torrent is available in many parts of Siofra. Use short sprints, not long gallops, so you can stop and pivot.

The stag dances around the arena, mixing graceful leaps with wide swipes and frost breath. Damage windows appear after its longer jumps and charge‑throughs.

• Stay mid‑range. Too close and you’ll eat tailswipes; too far and you chase.

• Jump attacks are great for timing the stag’s landings.

• Watch the spirit summons. The boss can heal by absorbing blue wisps — punish between animations, not during the absorb.

• Rewards: Spirit Ashes and materials make this encounter worth the prep.

In a northern sub‑area, a teleporter drops you near a cavern lake with the Dragonkin Soldier. It hits hard but telegraphs wildly.

• Bait the overhead slam, roll toward the arm, and punish twice.

• Fire or bleed can chew through its HP if you’re built for it.

• Stay at the flank to avoid cone lightning and ice patches later in the fight.

• Siofra River Map — first priority so you stop wandering.

• Smithing Stone veins along the cliffs and riverbed.

• Ghost Gloveworts near spiritwater pools for upgrading ashes.

• Ashes and gear tucked into wooden ruins and on cliffside corpses.

• Nomadic Merchant stock (if present in your run) for keys and ammo.

• Bows matter. Even a modest shortbow lets you tag perched shamans and archers.

• Status weapons like bleed and frost shine on the local fauna.

• Spirit Ashes that can survive arrows (e.g., tanky summons) free you up during brazier runs.

• Mix in a shield for chip while closing gaps on the flame pillars.

Start near Siofra River Bank, loop through the Worshippers’ Woods, then hop the teleporter to the northern ridge. Lighting them in this order trims backtracking and keeps you on the safe side of the deadliest archer nests. If you lose track, use the glowing runes on already‑lit obelisks as breadcrumbs.

• Nokron, Eternal City: Further into the game, events on the surface open paths from Siofra toward Nokron.

• Ainsel River & Nokstella: Different underground branches share enemy types and resources, so your Siofra practice pays off later.

• Rushing the braziers without clearing a lane — one arrow ends a perfect run.

• Skipping the map and getting lost for an hour. Grab it early.

• Fighting on the riverbed against multiple crabs — pull one at a time or ride past.

• Ignoring cover during archer lines — they read your dodge at long range.

If you just grabbed the map and lit your first two braziers, pause and set a goal for the run: map, puzzle, then boss. Come back after your clear and note which archer nests gave you trouble — a small adjustment to route or gear will make your next underground trip feel smooth.

Buy Elden Ring from RoyalCDKeys.