Guides / The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

The Reach

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition guide · Traveling through the wilderness

The Reach is a mountainous, craggy hold located in southwestern Skyrim known for its steep valleys, fast-flowing rivers, and silver mines. While exploring the wilderness, travelers frequently encounter hostile Forsworn camps perched atop sheer cliffs, as well as ancient Dwemer and Nordic ruins. The landscape is dangerous to navigate due to natural hazards and ambushes, requiring vigilance while traveling off the main roads toward Markarth.

Region: Skyrim
Getting there: west of Falkreath, following the road west and north past the mountains
Connects to: Falkreath, Morthal, Markarth
Enemy types: Forsworn · Hagraven · Bears · Wolves · Sabrecats · Giants · Trolls

Achievements here

War Hero MissableCapture Fort Sungard in The Reach or Fort Greenwall in The Rift during the Civil War questline.

Achievement guide and roadmap →

Items

0/3

Juniper Berry: harvested from small, twisted juniper trees found abundantly throughout the rocky paths of The ReachHanging Moss: hanging from rocky outcrops, ruins, and stone bridges throughout the wildernessRed Mountain Flower: growing along dirt roads and riverbanks across the region

Key fights

The Escape from Cidhna Mine (Markarth Outskirts Ambush)

Enemies: Thonar Silver-Blood and Markarth City Guards (if siding with Madanach) OR Madanach and his Forsworn escapees (if siding with Thonar)

Threats: Guards and Thonar bring heavy melee physical attacks and swarm in the narrow path; Madanach and Forsworn wield dual-wield melee strikes, Destruction magic (Flames/Frostbite), and summon familiars

Weaknesses and resistances: Neither side has notable elemental resistances (standard mortal human traits, susceptible to Paralysis and Poison)

Tactics: Exploit the narrow chokepoint just outside the Markarth ruins exit gate; use Unrelenting Force shout to ragdoll the grouped enemies, then use ranged spells or archery from the elevated terrace steps

Rewards: Armor of the Old Gods set (from Madanach) OR the Silver-Blood Family Ring (from Thonar), plus pardons clearing your Markarth bounty

Enemies

Forsworn

Steal / drop Forsworn Armor, Forsworn Weapons

Native rebels who set up fortified redoubts on cliff edges and ambush travelers using dual-wielding attacks or bows.

Forsworn Briarheart

Steal / drop Briar Heart

High-ranking Forsworn leader; pickpocketing the Briar Heart from their inventory kills them instantly.

Hag

Weak to FireSteal / drop Hagraven Claw

Solitary spellcaster often found dwelling alongside Forsworn forces, capable of casting shock and frost magic.

Hagraven

Weak to FireSteal / drop Hagraven Feathers

Monstrous matriarchs of the Forsworn that cast deadly fire spells and summon creatures.

Sabre Cat

Weak to FireSteal / drop Sabre Cat Pelt, Sabre Cat Eye

Predatory beast prowling the higher ridges and passes that attacks aggressively on sight.

Tips

Falling from cliffs is a major hazard in The Reach; stick to marked paths until you locate natural ramps to descend steep drops safely.
Forsworn Briarhearts can be assassinated instantly without combat if you successfully sneak up and pickpocket their Briar Heart.
Keep an eye out for silver ore veins exposed directly on the rock faces across the wilderness, which can be mined with a pickaxe.

Not listed for this area: secrets, shops and people.

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Morthal

Markarth

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