Elden Ring Lift of Rold Location: How to get to Mountaintops of the Giants

Update: We've updated and streamlined the information on this page to give you some additional detail about the Grand Lift of Rold in Elden Ring, where it is located, and how to use the lift.

If Elden Ring wasn't hard enough already, at the summit of the Grand Lift of Rold waits the Mountaintops of the Giants, a tough late-game area filled with some of the meanest enemies you've faced so far. But there's also some secrets awaiting you too...

With the capital defeated and a new objective facing you, it’s time to slip into some snowshoes and take a hike towards this new, frozen area.

However, the map marker Elden Ring gives you is very unhelpful. Covered in fog and with no hint of which path to take to actually find the Grand Lift of Rold, it shows your destination somewhere off the eastern side of the map where you’ve definitely not been able to get to yet.

But thankfully, the journey isn’t that difficult once you know where you’re going - even if it does have one optional and one mandatory boss along the way.

Where is the Grand Lift of Rold in Elden Ring?

From the Elden Throne, Queen’s Bedchamber, or whichever Site of Grace you’re at, it’s easiest to start from the Avenue Balcony in the middle of Leyndell.

Turn around, go up the stairs and turn left onto what looks like the main street through the middle of Leyndell.

At the end of the road, there’s a closed door - walk up and open it, but be wary of the enemies along this road.

On the other side, make your way up the huge staircase and either avoid or fight the big gang of harpie enemies.

Then, at the end of the path on the left is an elevator you need to go up.

At the top, go underneath the archway and all the way across the bridge.

Now in this tower, you have two options of where to go. You can take a right and fight the optional Fell Twin boss which gives you access to the Divine Tower where you power up Morgott’s and Mohg's Great Runes. You can then retrace your steps back to this tower.

However, if you just want to get to the Grand Lift of Rold, take the elevator down and go through the door into the foggy and frosty Forbidden Lands.

Visibility is poor here, but there’s a definite road forward that you can follow, finally mounted up on Torrent after what probably feels like a long time in Leyndell.

Avoid the tiny ninja dudes, then about half way along the path is a Golden Seed on your right.

Then at the end of the road is the mandatory boss before you can reach the Grand Lift of Rold, the Black Blade Kindred.

While they’re not much compared to the huge and powerful shardbearers you’ve faced in the capital, the Black Blade Kindred can still be tough. If you don't fancy taking on this fight right now, you can gallop past him on Torrent and fight him later.

Make use of a summon - the Mimic Tear is best if you have it - and Torrent since you can ride him here.

Steer clear of its long combo attacks, let your summon take the aggro, then swoop in to whittle away its health.

Once the Black Blade Kindred is defeated and their weapons are stuffed nicely in your rucksack, it’s time to climb the stairs behind it, activate the Site of Grace on your right, then brandish your Rold Medallion to step forth into the Mountaintops of the Giants.

The map of the area is just a little way in front of you on your right, but you’re now faced with yet another brand new area!

How to get the Rold Medallion in Elden Ring

If you're curious about what lies in the northern corner of the map and don't yet have the Rold Medallion to access the Grand Lift of Rold, don't fret.

To get the Rold Medallion - which gives you access to the Grand Lift of Rold, and thus, Mountaintops of Giants - all you need to do is beat Morgott, the Omen King in Leyndell, The Royal Capital.

Once he's felled, rest at the Site of Grace in the boss arena and speak with Melina. She will give you the Rold Medallion and ask you to burn the Erdtree. So, off you go!

How to use the Grand Lift of Rold in Elden Ring

Well, it's quite obvious that the Grand Lift of Rold is used with the Rold Medallion to access the Mountaintops of Giants. However, this Grand Lift also has a second, secret use. Spoilers ahead!

Eagle-eyed players might've picked up one or both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion, and they may be wondering how to use it. Well, once you have both halves of this secret item, you can actually choose to 'Hoist secret medallion' at the Grand Lift of Rold, rather than the Rold Medallion.

When using the Haligtree Secret Medallion, you'll be taken up to another area full of enemies; the Hidden Path to Haligtree. This route will eventually spit you out at Ordina, Liturgical Town, where you'll need to complete a puzzle before finally entering the Haligtree area where you can fight the legendary Malenia.

For more on the ins-and-outs of The Lands Between, here’s our Elden Ring guide.