The Great Hollow and Ash Lake form one of Dark Souls’ most mysterious hidden worlds — a two-layered secret area many players never discover. Buried deep inside Blighttown, this massive tree leads to an ancient beach, a dormant Everlasting Dragon, and rare loot unavailable anywhere else. This guide covers every step, secret, and collectible you need for a full, SEO-optimized exploration.
How to Access the Great Hollow
Find the Illusionary Wall in Blighttown
Inside the giant tree trunk, strike the wall behind the chest to reveal a hidden room.
Break the second illusionary wall to reach the ladder system descending into the Great Hollow.
Recommended Preparation
– High poison and curse resistance
– Fall-damage mitigation gear
– A ranged weapon to clear Basilisks
– Homeward Bones (in case you get trapped)
Great Hollow – Full Exploration Route
Upper Branches
Enemies: Tree Lizards
Loot:
– Titanite Chunk
– Blue Titanite Chunk
– Large Soul of a Proud Knight
Mid-Level Branch Network
Enemies: Mushrooms & Mushroom Parents
Loot:
– Cloranthy Ring (very important for stamina recovery)
– White Titanite Chunk
Lower Hollow
Enemies: Basilisks
Loot:
– Red Titanite Chunk
– Additional Titanite drops from Lizards
Tip: Stay on the narrow branches; falling leads to instant curse buildup.
Rare Loot in the Great Hollow
– Cloranthy Ring
– Multiple Titanite Chunks (Blue / White / Red)
– Various Souls
– Guaranteed Crystal Lizard spawns
Missing this zone means missing some of the best upgrade materials early in the game.
How to Reach Ash Lake
At the bottom of the Great Hollow, exit the tree into the open shoreline. Follow the sand path and enter the next tree trunk to begin Ash Lake’s main route.
Ash Lake – Full Walkthrough
Biome Overview
A massive underground ocean with:
– Two Bonfires
– Hydra boss fight
– The Stone Dragon (covenant leader)
– Some of the rarest atmosphere and lore in the game
Bonfire Locations
- Immediately upon entering
- Next to the Stone Dragon at the far end of the lake
Key Areas & Secrets in Ash Lake
1. Hydra Arena
A tougher variant than the Darkroot Hydra.
Tips:
– Fight on stable ground
– Aim for heads only when close
– Block its water projectiles
2. The Stone Dragon
Interact to join the Path of the Dragon covenant.
Rewards:
– Dragon Head Stone
– Dragon Torso Stone
– Access to dragon-form abilities
3. Hidden Ledges & Sand Paths
Some routes appear invisible from a distance.
Loot includes:
– Dragon Scales
– Humanity
– Soul items
Must-Get Items in Ash Lake
– Dragon Scale (multiple)
– Dragon Greatsword (if you kill the Stone Dragon — not recommended storywise)
– Miracle: Great Magic Barrier (on a corpse near a rock formation)
Why These Hidden Zones Matter
Exploring the Great Hollow and Ash Lake grants:
– Early access to top-tier upgrade materials
– A major lore reveal tied to the Everlasting Dragons
– Unique covenant progression
– A rare level design experience only FromSoftware offers
These areas are optional but essential for players who want a complete Dark Souls playthrough.
Conclusion
The Great Hollow and Ash Lake represent some of Dark Souls’ most breathtaking hidden content. From the vertical maze of branches to the serene underground ocean, this secret world offers loot, lore, and atmosphere found nowhere else in Lordran. Every explorer should experience it at least once.
GGC