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Gerudo Fortress & the desert

Four carpenters. One guide only truth can reveal.

Earn the Gerudo Pass, follow the desert guide and learn the Requiem of Spirit.

  1. Cross the broken bridge

    Enter Gerudo Valley from western Hyrule Field. Jump the broken bridge on Epona, or Longshot the wood on the far side. Speak to the carpenter boss by the tent, then follow the path into Gerudo's Fortress.

    References: Respec · tested Switch 2 route

  2. Escape if the guards capture you

    Enter the fortress and avoid the patrols. If captured, use the Longshot escape route above the cell and return to the connected corridors and rooftops. Consult the fortress map as you search for the four carpenter cells.

    References: Respec · tested Switch 2 route

  3. Free Shiro

    Find Shiro’s cell and speak to him to trigger the guard fight. Defend, dodge her spin and counter after her attack. Take the dropped Small Key, unlock his cell and speak to him again so he leaves.

    References: Zelda Central · remake Gerudo Fortress

  4. Free Saburo

    Use the stairs, rooftops and connected interior passages to reach Saburo’s cell. Defeat the swordswoman, collect the cell key and release him. Afterward, continue through the remaining connected sections rather than retracing a completed cell.

    References: Zelda Central · remake Gerudo Fortress

  5. Free Ichiro

    Find Ichiro in another cell hall. Speak to him, win the next swordswoman encounter, take the key and open his cell. The fortress map helps distinguish this hall from the cells already visited.

    References: Zelda Central · remake Gerudo Fortress

  6. Free Jiro

    Locate the remaining captive, Jiro. Defeat the final guard encounter, collect the Small Key and release him. Check that all four carpenters have left their cells.

    References: Zelda Central · remake Gerudo Fortress

  7. Accept the captain’s request

    After the rescues, agree to investigate Nabooru’s disappearance. Accept the Gerudo Pass, which allows free movement among the Gerudo. Head to the desert gate and speak with its gatekeeper to open the way.

    References: Zelda Central · remake Gerudo Fortress

  8. Follow the desert flag posts

    Longshot over the quicksand, then follow the flags through the storm. Identify the next post before leaving the previous one behind. Reach the stone shelter and climb to its roof.

    References: Respec · tested Switch 2 route

  9. Follow the Phantom Guide

    Read the shelter’s plaque and activate the Lens. Speak to the revealed Phantom Guide and accept its offer. Follow closely through the sharp turns, avoiding Leevers, until the marked route reaches the Desert Colossus.

    References: Polygon · Johnny Yu · Spirit Temple Dungeon

  10. Learn the route across time

    Approach the Spirit Temple. Sheik stops you and teaches the Requiem of Spirit. Warp to the Temple of Time, become a child and use the Requiem to return to the Colossus.

    References: Polygon · Johnny Yu · Spirit Temple Dungeon

Track this chapter

Check steps as you complete them in the game. You can undo any check.

Sources and edition changes

Switch 2 edition · sources checked November 5, 2026

This guide follows the 2026 Nintendo Switch 2 remake. Routes were checked against edition-specific walkthroughs and Nintendo documentation. We have not personally completed a console playthrough.

The N64 guide and its saved progress remain separate. Checklist totals measure this guide, not the game's completion percentage. New features are documented where the available evidence supports them.

Nintendo update notes: version 1.1.1 ↗

Changes to keep in mind

  • The Gerudo Pass accompanies the captain’s request to find Nabooru.
  • Sheik teaches Requiem on the approach to the temple.
  • Edition-specific guides checked on 5 November 2026. This is documentary verification; HyruleAtlas has not replayed these steps on a Switch 2 console.
  • The fortress has several connected indoor and rooftop routes. This guide uses the remake map and captive names rather than unverified N64 left/right doorway directions.