If you’ve been having some trouble getting around in Animal Crossing: New Horizons because of bodies of water or sheer cliff faces, well, you’re not alone. However, the game definitely gives you the tools to move around your entire space; it’s just a matter of when you unlock them. Take, for example, the Animal Crossing New Horizons ladder. We’ll talk about how to get it, and what it’s for.

Animal Crossing New Horizons Ladder – Getting the Ladder

So, you would no doubt have noticed while playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons that your island is just honestly full of a whole ton of cliffs. You’re just stacking layers and layers of landmass here. However, while you can easily vault over rivers and whatnot once you have the vaulting pole, it’s really a whole different matter with traversing cliffs. You can’t just pole yourself up one, or climb up one, even though they don’t look all that high. No, you’re going to need the Animal Crossing New Horizons ladder. Equipping this and pressing A to use it when next to a cliff will allow you to put it down and to climb to the next level of your island. Here’s how to get one.

One good thing to note about the ladder is that the game is very clear on its status as an essential tool. Much like getting the Slingshot or getting the Axe (we actually have a guide just about this which we’ve relinked here for your convenience), it’s an essential part of making the most of your island. Therefore, like the Slingshot, you’re going to be able to acquire the recipe for your ladder as a natural part of playing the game. To get the recipe for the ladder organically, you’re going to have to have completed the following:

1. Invited a Villager from a Mystery Island to your island
2. Built a bridge
3. Found places for new Villagers to stay

Essentially, once you redeem the free Nook Miles ticket that Tom gives you and visit a Mystery Island, you should be able to recruit your first new Villager just by talking to them. Once you’ve started that process and completed the other two steps above, Tom Nook will send you a DIY recipe for a ladder. To build a ladder, you’re going to need the following materials:

• 4 Wood
• 4 Hardwood
• 4 Softwood

Now, you might feel as if building a bridge and finding new Villagers only happens a fair way into the game and you’re almost right on that front. You absolutely won’t get it all done in your first few days so if you’re wanting to get one a little quicker, we reckon it’s easier to put a call out for one of your mates to actually make one for you and to gift it to you. With everyone basically playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons right now, we reckon that won’t be too difficult. 

Now that you’ve got a better idea of how to use the Animal Crossing New Horizons ladder, it should be much easier for you to actually explore every nook and cranny of your deserted island. Honestly, we approve. The world is yours for the pillaging, so go forth and conquer! If you’re sick of your mates having fun because you don’t have a copy of the game yet, why don’t you pick one up here via Amazon and support Prima Games while you’re at it? Need a hand with anything else in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? Check out these other tips and tricks that we’ve put together for Island Representatives like yourself in our dedicated guides hub for the game:

• Animal Crossing New Horizons Pocket Organizer – What Is It?
• Slingshot in Animal Crossing New Horizons
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons Hosts Surprise In-Game Wedding After COVID-19 Cancellation