How to Get to High Hrothgar in Skyrim
Stock up on supplies and equip some good weapons., Get Lydia to join you., Activate the "Way of the Voice" quest., Head east out of Whiterun., Continue following the path around the mountain., Talk to Klimmek., Inspect the first shrine., Make your...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Stock up on supplies and equip some good weapons.
The journey to High Hrothgar is long and treacherous, so make sure you stock up on supplies.
Grab some health potions as well as the best armor and weapon that you can afford.
The stores in Whiterun can help prepare you for the climb. "Warmaiden's"
located near the entrance of Whiterun, has two shopkeepers offering weapons and armor for sale.
If you’re an archer, you can buy bows and arrows from Elrindir in the "Drunken Huntsman".
For more spells and staffs, you can visit Farengar in Dragonsreach. "Belethor's General Goods" has a variety of items for sale each day. "Arcadia’s Cauldron" specializes in potions and elixirs. -
Step 2: Get Lydia to join you.
You'll encounter Lydia immediately after defeating the dragon outside of Whiterun.
Having Lydia (or any other companion) with you for the climb will make things much easier.
If she’s not already following you, you can find her in Dragonsreach (unless you've purchased Breezehome, in which case you can find her there).
Talk to Lydia and request that she follow you. , You can start this quest by talking to Jarl Balgruuf after defeating the dragon in Whiterun.
He will inform you of the Greybeards in High Hrothgar and mark the town of Ivarstead on your map.
If you're pressed for time or don't want to make the long journey, you can fast-travel to Helgen (where the game's prologue occurred) and then make a quick walk east to reach Ivarstead.
This can be good if you need to quickly get to Ivarstead, but you'll miss out on a lot of locations and opportunities to gain XP. , Before you can climb The Throat of the World, you'll need to get to Ivarstead.
This journey will take around the base of the mountain.
Along the way, you'll likely discover a variety of locations that you can visit either on the way or come back to later.
Continue on the road east past Horningbrew Meadery and over the White River.
You'll see a signpost that directs you towards Ivarstead. , You'll face some bandits that expect a toll, as well as a Sabre Cat or two.
You'll cross Darkwater River and reach a fork in the road.
Head southwest at the fork.
If you pass Snapleg Cave and Sarethi Farm, you're going the right way.
If you see Mistwatch, you're headed the wrong direction.
Head north after when you reach Honeystrand Cave.
After crossing another small bridge, you'll enter Ivarstead.
Pay attention to the signs on the road if you lose your bearings.
Follow the signs to Ivarstead. , Once you have arrived in Ivarstead and approached the bridge leading to the 7,000 steps, you’ll come across two men conversing.
Talk to Klimmek, and he’ll warn you of all the dangers ahead of you.
You can also take the optional quest to deliver supplies to the Greybeards.
It's highly-recommended that you take the quest to deliver supplies, as you don't have to go out of your way and it earns you some easy gold. , There are ten shrines along the stairs leading up to High Hrothgar.
The first of these shrines can be found on the other side of the bridge where you met Klimmek.
Make sure to read the Etched Tablet; reading all of the tablets on the way up will unlock another Shout for you to use.
See the next section for details on all of the shrine locations. , Once you reach the snow, you'll likely encounter some wolves.
Use the marker stones to find the trail if you lose it in the snow. , You are likely to encounter the troll when you reach the granite gully.
The Frost Troll is the most dangerous adversary you will face on the climb.
There are several ways you can get past it.You can try to sneak past the troll at night.
You may be able to scale the sides of the gully to avoid it.
You can also use ranged attacks from the cliff to do damage without worrying about a counter-attack.
You can fight the Frost Troll to the death.
Having Lydia with you will make the fight a little easier.
Use fire attacks for maximum damage.
Get the troll's attention and retreat back down the stairs.
Karita will help you fight the troll. , You'll know you've reached the top when you encounter the dual-staircases.
This is the entrance to High Hrothgar.
The journey should take about 15 minutes total, depending on the enemies you faced. , If you accepted the quest from Klimmek, make sure to put the offering into the chest before entering High Hrothgar. , He is the leader of the Greybeard monks, and speaking with him will advance the main story quest. , You will find this at the base of the stairs, on the other side of the bridge in Ivarstead. , This can be found right before snow starts appearing.
Barknar can usually be found praying at it. , This shrine can be found on a small plateau after you've encountered wolves. , You'll find this shrine near a small grove of fir trees.
You may find Karita at this shrine. , This shrine can be found immediately after the area where the Frost Troll attacks you. , You'll come across this shrine near a stone marker after the blizzard starts getting worse. , This shrine is located on a treacherous outcropping to the west of the path. , This shrine is in front of several rocks jutting out of the ground. , You'll find this shrine in front of a statue of Talos as you approach High Hrothgar. , You can find the tenth and final shrine to the right of the staircase leading up to High Hrothgar. -
Step 3: Activate the "Way of the Voice" quest.
-
Step 4: Head east out of Whiterun.
-
Step 5: Continue following the path around the mountain.
-
Step 6: Talk to Klimmek.
-
Step 7: Inspect the first shrine.
-
Step 8: Make your way up the stairs.
-
Step 9: Fight or run from the Frost Troll.
-
Step 10: Continue walking up the steps.
-
Step 11: Put the offering in the chest.
-
Step 12: Find and speak with Arngeir.
-
Step 13: The first shrine.
-
Step 14: The second shrine.
-
Step 15: The third shrine.
-
Step 16: The fourth shrine.
-
Step 17: The fifth shrine.
-
Step 18: The sixth shrine.
-
Step 19: The seventh shrine.
-
Step 20: The eighth shrine.
-
Step 21: The ninth shrine.
-
Step 22: The tenth shrine.
Detailed Guide
The journey to High Hrothgar is long and treacherous, so make sure you stock up on supplies.
Grab some health potions as well as the best armor and weapon that you can afford.
The stores in Whiterun can help prepare you for the climb. "Warmaiden's"
located near the entrance of Whiterun, has two shopkeepers offering weapons and armor for sale.
If you’re an archer, you can buy bows and arrows from Elrindir in the "Drunken Huntsman".
For more spells and staffs, you can visit Farengar in Dragonsreach. "Belethor's General Goods" has a variety of items for sale each day. "Arcadia’s Cauldron" specializes in potions and elixirs.
You'll encounter Lydia immediately after defeating the dragon outside of Whiterun.
Having Lydia (or any other companion) with you for the climb will make things much easier.
If she’s not already following you, you can find her in Dragonsreach (unless you've purchased Breezehome, in which case you can find her there).
Talk to Lydia and request that she follow you. , You can start this quest by talking to Jarl Balgruuf after defeating the dragon in Whiterun.
He will inform you of the Greybeards in High Hrothgar and mark the town of Ivarstead on your map.
If you're pressed for time or don't want to make the long journey, you can fast-travel to Helgen (where the game's prologue occurred) and then make a quick walk east to reach Ivarstead.
This can be good if you need to quickly get to Ivarstead, but you'll miss out on a lot of locations and opportunities to gain XP. , Before you can climb The Throat of the World, you'll need to get to Ivarstead.
This journey will take around the base of the mountain.
Along the way, you'll likely discover a variety of locations that you can visit either on the way or come back to later.
Continue on the road east past Horningbrew Meadery and over the White River.
You'll see a signpost that directs you towards Ivarstead. , You'll face some bandits that expect a toll, as well as a Sabre Cat or two.
You'll cross Darkwater River and reach a fork in the road.
Head southwest at the fork.
If you pass Snapleg Cave and Sarethi Farm, you're going the right way.
If you see Mistwatch, you're headed the wrong direction.
Head north after when you reach Honeystrand Cave.
After crossing another small bridge, you'll enter Ivarstead.
Pay attention to the signs on the road if you lose your bearings.
Follow the signs to Ivarstead. , Once you have arrived in Ivarstead and approached the bridge leading to the 7,000 steps, you’ll come across two men conversing.
Talk to Klimmek, and he’ll warn you of all the dangers ahead of you.
You can also take the optional quest to deliver supplies to the Greybeards.
It's highly-recommended that you take the quest to deliver supplies, as you don't have to go out of your way and it earns you some easy gold. , There are ten shrines along the stairs leading up to High Hrothgar.
The first of these shrines can be found on the other side of the bridge where you met Klimmek.
Make sure to read the Etched Tablet; reading all of the tablets on the way up will unlock another Shout for you to use.
See the next section for details on all of the shrine locations. , Once you reach the snow, you'll likely encounter some wolves.
Use the marker stones to find the trail if you lose it in the snow. , You are likely to encounter the troll when you reach the granite gully.
The Frost Troll is the most dangerous adversary you will face on the climb.
There are several ways you can get past it.You can try to sneak past the troll at night.
You may be able to scale the sides of the gully to avoid it.
You can also use ranged attacks from the cliff to do damage without worrying about a counter-attack.
You can fight the Frost Troll to the death.
Having Lydia with you will make the fight a little easier.
Use fire attacks for maximum damage.
Get the troll's attention and retreat back down the stairs.
Karita will help you fight the troll. , You'll know you've reached the top when you encounter the dual-staircases.
This is the entrance to High Hrothgar.
The journey should take about 15 minutes total, depending on the enemies you faced. , If you accepted the quest from Klimmek, make sure to put the offering into the chest before entering High Hrothgar. , He is the leader of the Greybeard monks, and speaking with him will advance the main story quest. , You will find this at the base of the stairs, on the other side of the bridge in Ivarstead. , This can be found right before snow starts appearing.
Barknar can usually be found praying at it. , This shrine can be found on a small plateau after you've encountered wolves. , You'll find this shrine near a small grove of fir trees.
You may find Karita at this shrine. , This shrine can be found immediately after the area where the Frost Troll attacks you. , You'll come across this shrine near a stone marker after the blizzard starts getting worse. , This shrine is located on a treacherous outcropping to the west of the path. , This shrine is in front of several rocks jutting out of the ground. , You'll find this shrine in front of a statue of Talos as you approach High Hrothgar. , You can find the tenth and final shrine to the right of the staircase leading up to High Hrothgar.
About the Author
Laura Lopez
With a background in lifestyle and practical guides, Laura Lopez brings 4 years of hands-on experience to every article. Laura believes in making complex topics accessible to everyone.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: