Start in Dirtmouth, drop down the well into Forgotten Crossroads, and explore. That opening area is deliberately open, so the order below is a practical beginner route rather than the only correct one. The goals for the first stretch are a map, a way to track your position, and a first boss, False Knight, once you feel ready for it.
The opening route, step by step
- Talk to Elderbug in Dirtmouth if you want some orientation. Then descend through the well. The well leads to Forgotten Crossroads, the first area beneath the surface.
- Explore the Crossroads and follow the trail. Scattered papers and a humming sound lead toward Cornifer, who sits in the lower part of the area. He sells the Forgotten Crossroads map for 30 Geo. If he has left, Iselda sells his maps from her shop in Dirtmouth.
- Buy Iselda’s Quill for 120 Geo once you have the map. A map alone does not show where the Knight is, and the Quill is what fills in explored rooms.
- Use the map to pick accessible paths and keep exploring. False Knight is in the central part of the area. When you are ready, fight it.
- Continue toward Greenpath if you want the route a common beginner walkthrough follows. That walkthrough continues from False Knight to the Vengeful Spirit spell and then onward toward Greenpath.
Mapping tools: what each item does
Three purchases shape how the early game reads. They do different jobs, so it helps to know which one you are missing when you get stuck.
| Item | Where to buy | Price | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forgotten Crossroads map | Cornifer; Iselda’s Dirtmouth shop if Cornifer has left | 30 Geo | Charts the area’s layout |
| Iselda’s Quill | Iselda, Dirtmouth | 120 Geo | Records newly explored rooms when the Knight rests at a Bench |
| Wayward Compass | Not stated in the sources reviewed | 220 Geo | Shows the Knight’s current position on the map |
Prices come from the Hollow Knight Wiki community reference and match the walkthrough’s 30 Geo figure for the map. These are base-game prices as the wiki lists them; they are not confirmed for every later version of the game.
Where the early route can go
Forgotten Crossroads and False Knight
Team Cherry describes the Crossroads as an open layout of interconnected tunnels that may initially feel overwhelming. Exploration reveals the way forward and some hidden shortcuts. Expect to backtrack a few times before the layout clicks.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- 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.
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
- Leap into minds with the Dream Nail. Uncover a whole other side to the characters you meet and the enemies you face.
Greenpath
Greenpath is the area the walkthrough route heads toward after False Knight and the Vengeful Spirit spell. Treat it as a checkpoint for a reasonable early pace, not a requirement. Players who explore the Crossroads more thoroughly first will reach it in a different order, and the game supports that.
If you feel lost
- You have no map: Find Cornifer by following the papers and humming. If he has moved on, buy his map from Iselda in Dirtmouth.
- You have a map but it shows nothing new: Buy the Quill from Iselda and rest at a Bench. The Quill records rooms as you explore them, so an unmarked map usually means you have not rested since entering new areas.
- You know the map but not where you are: The Wayward Compass shows your position. Its purchase location is not stated in the sources reviewed, so check the Hollow Knight Wiki before you go looking for it.
- The area feels too big: Pick one unexplored branch, follow it to its end, and return to a Bench. Narrow goals work better than trying to cover the whole Crossroads at once.
One beginner discussion captures the frustration well. A player wrote, “I still feel completely lost and like I have no clue where to go.” That is one anecdote, not evidence of how common the feeling is, but it matches the design: the opening asks you to build your own sense of direction before the game gives you tools to track it.
Rank #2
![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.
What the developers say about the opening
Team Cherry Press, in its official Forgotten Crossroads tour, puts the goal of the first stretch plainly: “You’ll begin your adventure here, so your first order of business is to explore, try to gain your bearings, and plan out your route to the deeper areas of Hallownest.” The developer’s 2015 article describes the opening area as it existed at that time. It is not a version-specific guide, so treat its details as a description of the design rather than a patch-by-patch checklist.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sources and limits
The opening-area details come mainly from Team Cherry’s developer post. Map-item functions and prices come from the Hollow Knight Wiki, a community-maintained reference. The suggested route past False Knight and toward Greenpath comes from a beginner walkthrough, which describes one practical order rather than the required one. Where a source does not state a detail, such as where the Wayward Compass is sold, this article says so rather than guessing.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- THE ALL-IN-ONE EDITION FOR NINTENDO SWITCH: Embark on a delectably dangerous journey with Six and The Kid to unveil all the secrets of The Maw in two parallel escape stories that will put your cool to the test.
- A SPOOKY PUZZLE PLATFORMER: Trapped in an oversized dollhouse inhabited by monstrous residents, light your way through darkness, hide & sneak to avoid danger and run for your life to find a way out.
- REKINDLE YOUR CHILDHOOD FEARS: Each room is a cell, each resident a threat, and both are puzzles to untangle. Find your inner child and bend your imagination to find the way out.
- TAILORED TO THE DEVICE: Undock your Nintendo Switch and continue your delectably dangerous journey everywhere, anytime with full HD rumble support for the Joy-Con controllers for a more immersive experience.
Rank #4
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- 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.
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
- Leap into minds with the Dream Nail. Uncover a whole other side to the characters you meet and the enemies you face.
Rank #3
![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!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
