The Underworks has two distinct halves: enter the west from the fallen Grand Gate lift or Wisp Thicket, and reach the east through Whiteward or a lift opened after Trobbio. To progress east and reach the deepest Whispering Vaults, find Clawline in the eastern Cauldron. Before leaving the Chapel of the Architect with its Crest bound, inspect its hidden room: the door closes permanently afterward.
Where the Underworks fits
The Underworks is an Act 2 area connected to Choral Chambers and Whiteward. Its machinery-filled, hazardous passages include smog, exposed mechanisms, and lava. Paid benches and a confessional that plays prerecorded messages are among its features; the available area reference does not give a complete bench route or a set price for each bench. Hollow Knight Wiki: Underworks
Choose your route into the Underworks
| Route | How to reach it | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| West via Grand Gate | After defeating the Last Judge, take the dilapidated lift at the fallen Grand Gate down into the western Underworks. The route toward Choral Chambers is blocked by a northwest enemy gauntlet. | Players arriving from the Grand Gate who want to reach Choral Chambers. |
| West via Wisp Thicket | Enter the western Underworks directly from Wisp Thicket. | Players with this alternate approach unlocked who want to skip the Grand Gate. |
| East via Whiteward | Use the hidden passage from Whiteward. | Players who can access Whiteward and are heading for the eastern section. |
| East via elevator | Use the elevator unlocked after defeating Trobbio. | Players who have defeated Trobbio and want an eastern entry. |
The west and east are initially separated; the eastern section becomes accessible from the west after opening a temporary bridge from the east. The sources do not establish that any route is universally faster or safer. Hollow Knight Wiki: Underworks
Get out of the western Underworks
Clear the northwest gauntlet
If you entered from the fallen Grand Gate lift, the northwest gauntlet blocks the route onward to Choral Chambers. Clearing it grants access to Delver’s Drill. The source confirms the gauntlet and its reward, but not a step-by-step combat strategy; plan around the enemies you encounter rather than relying on an unverified tactic. Hollow Knight Wiki: Underworks
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Use Wisp Thicket as the alternate approach
Wisp Thicket connects directly to the western side and avoids the Grand Gate approach. It is an alternate entry, not a documented shortcut past the gauntlet once you are already inside the Grand Gate route.
Reach the eastern Underworks and find Clawline
Reach the east through Whiteward’s hidden passage or the elevator unlocked after defeating Trobbio. The Cauldron is in this eastern section, and Clawline is found there. Clawline is needed to continue farther east toward the deepest parts of the Whispering Vaults. Hollow Knight Wiki: Underworks
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The area reference identifies the Cauldron as Clawline’s location but does not give a complete room-by-room route or exact pickup coordinates. If you are searching, focus on reaching the eastern Underworks and exploring the Cauldron rather than assuming the western route leads directly to the ability.
Reach Mount Fay from the Underworks
PC Gamer’s route guide, published September 10, 2025, says Clawline is required to climb Mount Fay. It describes this route from Whiteward:
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- Find the White Key at the top-right of Choral Chambers.
- Reach Whiteward and use the White Key on the locked elevator at its bottom.
- Take the route onward toward Mount Fay, using Clawline for the climb.
The guide also describes an alternate approach through an elevator near The Stage in the lower-right Whispering Vaults. To reach that area, go through the lower-right Cogwork Core after defeating the boss at the top of Choral Chambers. Route behavior can change with game updates; this path is documented in the guide published September 10, 2025. PC Gamer: Hollow Knight: Silksong Mount Fay route
Check the Chapel of the Architect before leaving
The Chapel is north of the Twelfth Architect and requires the Architect’s Key. Inside, you can find the Architect Crest and a breakable wall in the upper-right that reveals a room containing the remains of the other eleven Architects. Binding the Crest and leaving the Chapel permanently closes its door. Inspect the hidden room and collect what you want before you bind the Crest and exit. Hollow Knight Wiki: Chapel of the Architect
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- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!
- Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favorites and make your journey unique!
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
Other Underworks points of interest
The area reference lists Delver’s Drill, two Spool Fragments, and one Memory Locket among the Underworks points of interest. Loam and the Twelfth Architect are characters associated with the region. It does not provide verified room coordinates or a pickup order for those collectibles, so use the area’s map and explore rather than relying on precise directions that are not established. Hollow Knight Wiki: Underworks
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