The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild offers players an vast world brimming with environmental riddles, among which the Secret of the Cedars shrine quest stands out as a classic exploration challenge. Located in the snowy realm of Hateno Village, this quest tasks Link with following a line of ancient cedar trees across the mountainside. Uncovering the hidden Tahno O'ah Shrine requires sharp observation and a solid understanding of cold-weather survival tactics.
Starting the Secret of the Cedars Quest in Hateno Village
To initiate this quest, head to the eastern side of Hateno Village and locate Clavia, an NPC who spends her days looking out toward the icy peaks of Mount Lanayru. When spoken to on the pier or near her home, she shares a local riddle regarding three cedar trees lined up on the mountain ridge. She hints that turning toward the sea from the final tree reveals a secret trial waiting to be tested.
Before setting out on this journey, ensure you are properly equipped for cold atmospheric conditions along the high cliffs. Equipping warm gear like the Snowquill outfit or cooking cold-resistant meals made with Warm Safflina or Sunshrooms will protect Link's health. Gamers who enjoy following walkthroughs and tracking community discoveries often visit daily gaming news outlets to fine-tune their open-world routes.
Tracing the Cedar Tree Line Along the Mountain Ridge
Once you leave Hateno Village, open your map and direct Link north toward the Apin Peak region. Looking closely at the map reveals four prominent cedar trees growing in a distinct line along the snowy mountainside rather than just three. Follow this natural tree path from west to east while maintaining your altitude along the steep terrain.
As you pass each cedar, the tree line guides you directly toward a high cliff face overlooking the sea. Standing at the easternmost tree, turn your camera toward the east where a massive rock wall comes into view. Behind this cracked geological barrier lies the entrance to the hidden shrine you are searching for.
Breaching the Hidden Cave and Reaching Tahno O'ah Shrine
Approaching the rock wall reveals a cracked stone door that blocks access to the cavern interior. Equipping a Remote Bomb rune allows you to easily detonate the blockage from a safe distance without wasting weapon durability. Alternatively, firing a Bomb Arrow directly at the fracture will shatter the boulders and clear the entryway.
Step inside the newly revealed cavern to discover the Tahno O'ah Shrine standing quietly in the dark. Activating the pedestal inside unlocks a travel waypoint for easy fast travel back to the Lanayru region. Because finding the entrance serves as the primary challenge, this shrine rewards players directly with a treasure chest containing the Climbing Boots alongside a Spirit Orb.
Essential Tips for Completing the Cedar Quest Efficiently
Preparing for unpredictable mountain weather makes completing this quest significantly smoother for early-game players. Rain or snow can make climbing slippery, so following the established ground path is often safer than scaling sheer ice cliffs directly. Keeping a fire-infused weapon equipped can also provide passive warming while navigating through freezing drafts.
Securing the Climbing Boots from this shrine provides a permanent boost to Link's movement speed while ascending cliffs across Hyrule. Combining this reward with other pieces of the Climbing Set makes future exploration much faster and less stamina-draining. Completing the Secret of the Cedars quest remains one of the most satisfying early navigational triumphs in Breath of the Wild.
