Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Guide The Atlas Hold 8: Falkreath Hold
[8.18] Bleak Falls Barrow
[8.18] Bleak Falls Barrow
Related Quests
- Main Quest: Bleak Falls Barrow
- Side Quest: The Golden Claw
Recommended Level: 6
Dungeon: Draugr Crypt
Dangers
Puzzles
- Nordic Puzzle Door (Golden Claw)
- Nordic Pillars
Quest Items
- Dragonstone (Draugr Scourge Lord)
- Golden Claw (Arvel)
Collectibles
- Dragon Claw: Golden Claw [6/10]
- Skill Book [Pickpocket]: Thief [D2/10]
Special Objects
- Word Wall: Unrelenting Force [1/1]
- Chest(s)
- Potions
This large, striking ruin stands atop the mountains north of Lake Ilinalta and can be easily seen for miles. Ascend the snowy mountain trails, navigating a raging blizzard as you head for Bleak Falls Barrow’s ominous exterior.
Exterior
Slay the exterior guards before entering the doors that lead into the Bleak Falls Temple—there’s nothing else of interest outside in the cold.
Exit to Skyrim
Entry Chamber
Cut down the two bandits at the end of this first, large chamber, then loot the chest they were guarding before navigating a long, uneventful passage on your way to [2].
- Chest (Locked: Novice)
Nordic Pillars Puzzle
Before pulling this chamber’s tempting central lever, rotate the three pillars in the west wall to match the sequence of glyphs that can be seen around the north wall (Snake, Snake, Whale). Then pull the lever to safely raise the north portcullis. Go through and raid a chest, then claim the nearby Skill Book. Descend a spiral staircase on your way to [3], slaughtering several Skeevers at the bottom.
- Skill Book [Pickpocket]: Thief [D2/10]
- Chest
- Potions
Spider Lair
Chop through thick webs to enter this small chamber, then slay the hulking Wounded Frostbite Spider that silently descends from the ceiling. Carefully free Arvel afterward, who’s been caught up in a thick web. The fool quickly rushes deeper into the ruins—hurry after him!
South Burial Passages
Chase Arvel into these passages, where undead Draugr warriors begin to rise. Arvel is quickly slain; retreat as you combat the Draugr, then return to this chamber and collect the vital Golden Claw and informative journal that Arvel possesses. Be careful to avoid the pressure plate on the floor that triggers a lethal trap on your way to [5].
- Danger! Swinging Wall Trap (pressure plate)
- Dragon Claw: Golden Claw [6/10] (Arvel)
North Burial Passages
Slay more Draugr in this next chamber, then quickly sprint through the hall of swinging blades—you can sprint through unscathed if you time it right. Once through, pull a wall chain to deactivate the trap. Burn up the many Draugr in the passage that follows by knocking down hanging lamps to ignite oil on the floor.
- Danger! Oil Lamp Traps, Oil Pool Trap, Swinging Blade Trap (wall chain)
Waterfall Cavern
Loot a chest in this small cavern, then pull a wall chain to raise a portcullis and advance to [7].
- Chest
Sunlit Cavern
Raid another chest on your way into this large, open-air cavern. Descend to the bottom to find another chest, then go back up and proceed to [8].
- Chest
- Chest (Locked: Novice)
Sanctum Access
Slay a powerful Draugr here, then loot one more chest before opening the door and entering the Bleak Falls Sanctum.
- Chest (Locked: Apprentice)
Door to Bleak Falls Sanctum
Bleak Falls Sanctum
Swinging blades slice through the hall that leads to the Sanctum’s first chamber. Before sprinting through, lure a patrolling Draugr to its doom by striking the monster with a ranged attack to make it charge recklessly into the blades. Sprint past the trap afterward, then quickly pull the wall chain on the opposite side to deactivate it—this lets you safely retreat as the undead begin to swarm.
Next, inspect the Golden Claw that you found on poor Arvel, and notice the three glyphs that run down its palm. Mimic this same sequence of glyphs (bear, moth, owl) on the strange mural at the end of this passage by spinning its three glyph rings. Once the glyphs have been properly aligned, activate the claw insignia in the mural’s center to insert the Golden Claw and open the way forward.
Make your way to the far end of the large, sunlit cavern that follows the Nordic Puzzle Door. Raid a giant chest and then follow the sound of chanting to discover a Word Wall, which grants you a new Word of Power. Learning this new talent causes a powerful enemy to rise from the nearby sarcophagus—fight hard to slay this worthy adversary, then obtain a special item from its remains. Check behind the Word Wall for a hidden chest before leaving. Scale the nearby steps afterward and exit this unholy place via the west passage, looting one last chest on your way out. Find a potion on the exterior ledge before fast-traveling away.