Reach Sands of Karak from Blasted Steps by defeating the Great Conchflies, then using Clawline above the Pinstress’s balloon. Inside, yellow orbs create temporary platforms, so plan each detour before breaking them. The key optional finds include a Memory Locket, a Lost Flea, and a Simple Key; the area’s Crustnut is required for the Great Taste of Pharloom quest.
How to reach Sands of Karak
- In Blasted Steps, defeat the Great Conchflies near the Pinstress’s balloon.
- Use Clawline above the balloon to reach the entrance to Sands of Karak.
This entry route is described by PC Gamer’s Crustnut walkthrough and the Silksong Map area guide.
How to navigate the orb paths
Yellow orbs create temporary paths when struck. Move promptly once a path appears, and look over the route before activating an orb: the detour from the third orb’s split leads to a Memory Locket, but requires taking the left branch and then reaching the orb on the ceiling. The area guide also warns of a Driznarga spawn along this detour.
Beyond the pickup detour, continue through the orb paths and Clawline sections to find Shakra and progress through the area. There is no established evidence that one complete route is faster than another; prioritize the optional branch when you want the Locket, or stay on the progression route and return for cleanup later.
#1 Best Overall
![Hollow Knight: Silksong Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mOgOC8xEL._SL160_.jpg)
- Discover the fallen insect kingdom of Pharloom! Explore mossy grottos, gilded cities and misted moors as you ascend to the shining citadel at the top of the world.
- Engage in lethal acrobatic action! Wield a huge suite of deadly moves as you dance between foes in swift, beautiful combat.
- Craft powerful tools! Master an ever-expanding arsenal of weapons, traps, and mechanisms to vanquish your enemies and explore new heights.
- Solve shocking quests! Hunt down rare beasts and solve ancient mysteries to grant the wishes of the downtrodden and restore the kingdom’s hope.
- Face over 200 ferocious foes! Beasts and hunters, monsters and knights. Defeat them all with bravery and skill!
Map, shortcuts, and return route
Shakra sells the Sands of Karak map for 90 Rosaries, according to the Hollow Knight Wiki’s Sands of Karak page. To keep explored areas recorded, use the Quill to update acquired maps and rest so newly discovered areas are registered.
As you explore, open shortcut connections between sections and work toward the route back to the Blasted Steps Bellway. These links make later returns safer; the area guide does not establish that any particular sequence is the fastest.
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- Journey to all-new lands, discover new powers, battle vast hordes of bugs and beasts and uncover secrets tied to your nature and your past.
Crustnut and the Great Taste of Pharloom quest
For Crustnut, head to the main shaft and take the upper-left route through the red spiky growths and platforming section. Crustnut is one of the five ingredients required for Great Taste of Pharloom.
PC Gamer reports that completing the quest rewards Pale Oil, which is used for a needle upgrade. If this is your second needle upgrade, the upgrade also costs 500 Rosaries; that additional cost is specific to the second upgrade.
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Rank #3
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
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Optional pickup checklist
- Memory Locket: From the third orb’s split, take the left branch and use the ceiling orb to reach the ledge. Be alert for the guide-reported Driznarga spawn.
- Lost Flea: Search along the crumble-path section for the rescue route.
- Simple Key: Check beyond another orb route for the key cache.
- Shortcuts: Open the area links as you encounter them, especially those that improve the return trip.
The Memory Locket, Lost Flea, Simple Key, and shortcut locations are listed by the Silksong Map guide. Treat these as exploration targets rather than a verified fastest-completion order.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
![Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nXCF+sf5L._SL160_.jpg)
- 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.
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