Death Mountain Crater

1. Inner Rim Ledge

When you emerge from the secret passage in Darunia's room behind the pulled stone statue, you will step out onto the high perimeter ledge above the magma sea. Equip your red tunic immediately to endure the volcanic heat, as stepping out into the atmosphere unprepared swiftly depletes your life hearts. Before proceeding across the chasm, glance along the ledges to take in your bearings.

Tip: Keep the Goron Tunic equipped for the duration of your stay inside the volcano.

2. Broken Suspension Bridge

Look across the gaping magma drop to locate the broken wooden suspension bridge spanning the chasm. Swat away any incoming Lava Bubbles or Keese with sword swipes, your bow, or the Hookshot so they do not knock you into the molten rock below. Aim your Hookshot at the intact wooden post on the far side of the span and fire to reel yourself over the gap.

Tip: Clear out hovering flying enemies before lining up your shot across the gap.

3. The Center Crossing

After pulling yourself past the broken bridge to the center crossing, Sheik will emerge to offer guidance and perform a new ocarina melody. Listen carefully as Sheik teaches you the Bolero of Fire, which grants immediate access back to the crater's central pad whenever played. You can play it with the buttons or by humming it into the Switch 2 microphone.

Tip: You can use either button inputs or the microphone to perform your new song.

4. Warp Platform and Path Forks

Walk forward from the crossing to reach the central stone warp pad, which serves as your fast-travel destination whenever you perform the Bolero of Fire. Examine the nearby soft soil patch, which holds a hidden Gold Skulltula token if you release a jar of bugs into it, and serves as the planting spot for a Magic Bean as Child Link. Once planted in the past, Adult Link can step onto the grown hover-leaf to float across the chasm, grabbing a Heart Piece atop an isolated lava pillar and reaching another Gold Skulltula token clinging to the crater walls.

Tip: None of the collectibles in this area are permanently missable, as you can return via the warp pad at any time.

5. Great Fairy Cavern and Fire Temple Descent

Head toward the south bridge across from the Goron City exit along the crater wall to find a blocked cave entrance sealed by heavy boulders. Smash through these obstacles with the Megaton Hammer to enter the Great Fairy Fountain, where the Great Fairy of Magic bestows the Double Magic Meter upgrade. Afterward, descend the path and stairs leading downward through the heat to reach the entrance of the Fire Temple.

Tip: Remember to return with the Megaton Hammer after clearing future challenges to break the fountain's boulders.

6. Crater Terraces (Child Era)

When entering the crater from the high summit ladder path on Death Mountain Trail as Child Link, drop down to inspect the terraces along the crater wall. You will encounter a hostile Business Scrub; deflect its fired projectile with your shield or strike it with the Slingshot or Hookshot to pop it from the earth. Approach the stunned merchant to talk to it, allowing you to purchase a Heart Piece for 100 Rupees.

Tip: Deflecting the scrub's own shot back with your shield is the easiest way to pacify it.

The short version

What matters

• Learn the Bolero of Fire from Sheik to unlock fast-travel directly to the crater's central warp pad.
• Obtain the Double Magic Meter upgrade from the Great Fairy behind the hammer-sealed cavern along the south wall.
• Collect the two Heart Pieces—one bought from the summit terrace Business Scrub and one atop the lava pillar via the Magic Bean leaf.

Common mistakes

• Entering the crater without wearing the Goron Tunic, which causes Link's health to drain rapidly with no countdown timer.
• Trying to cross the broken suspension bridge by jumping instead of targeting the far intact post with the Hookshot.

What you can skip

• You can bypass clearing the Great Fairy's boulder barricade on your first visit if you have not yet obtained the Megaton Hammer.