Meet Princess Zelda, learn the songs needed for the mountain and gain the Goron's Bracelet.
Travel to Hyrule Castle
Cross Hyrule Field toward the castle drawbridge. Enter during daylight; if it closes, wait for morning. Meet Malon in the market, then follow the northern exit toward the castle. Speak to her again by the vines to receive a Weird Egg; leaving and re-entering the castle approach makes her appear if necessary.
Wake the sleeping rancher
Climb the vines beside Malon and get beyond the gate. Stay outside the guards' sight, cross the grassy slope and climb the rough wall near the castle. Swim along the moat to the corner with Talon. After the egg hatches at morning, use the chicken beside him.
Reach Zelda's courtyard
Move the two milk crates into a stack at the moat edge. Climb them, jump to the opposite opening and crawl through during daytime. In the gardens, follow behind each guard patrol instead of crossing its view. Speak with Zelda, accept her request and take Zelda's Letter. Impa teaches Zelda's Lullaby as you leave.
Visit Saria in the Sacred Forest Meadow
Return to Kokiri Forest and enter the Lost Woods through the high entrance. From its entrance, take right, left, right, left, straight, left, right. Defeat the Wolfos to open the gate. Work through the hedge maze, blocking Mad Scrub nuts, then climb the stairs. Speak to Saria to learn Saria's Song.
Prepare for falling rocks and fire
A Hylian Shield protects against hazards that can burn the wooden shield. Buy one in the market, or visit Kakariko Graveyard at night and pull the flower-marked grave near the entrance for a free one. As a child, Link crouches under this shield rather than holding it forward.
Open the Death Mountain gate
At Kakariko's northern gate, show Zelda's Letter to the guard using its assigned item button. Follow Death Mountain Trail uphill to the red flag, then turn toward Goron City.
Play for Darunia
Descend to Goron City's lowest level. Play Zelda's Lullaby on the mat in front of Darunia's door. Inside, speak to him and play Saria's Song. He gives the Goron's Bracelet, which lets child Link lift Bomb Flowers.
Unblock Dodongo's Cavern
Exit Goron City to the mountain trail. At the nearby fenced ledge, lift a Bomb Flower and throw it down toward the giant boulder sealing the cavern below. Reposition and repeat if it misses. Descend the path and enter the opened cavern.
Ready for the next horizon?
Check steps as you go, or mark this entire chapter complete when you finish it in the game.
Notes from the archive.
- The Happy Mask trade is optional; the guard's request does not stop the main quest.
- A bottle and Epona's Song are useful side trips at Lon Lon Ranch. The Adventure Journal has separate step-by-step entries for both.
Walkthrough references
This independent route covers the original Nintendo 64 main story. Consult the credited guides for alternate paths and additional collectibles.
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