Elden Ring is a vast and intricate world, filled with secrets tucked away in its darkest corners. From mysterious catacombs to hidden plateaus, the Lands Between never cease to surprise even the most seasoned Tarnished. For players looking to maximize their rune intake or stockpile powerful gear, uncovering secret areas can be a game-changer. Here are 25 hidden zones in Elden Ring that are not only rich in lore but also packed with valuable runes worth the risk.

1. Mohgwyn Palace

Accessed through Varre’s questline or a portal in the Consecrated Snowfield, Mohgwyn Palace is a rune farming paradise. With enemies that drop massive rune counts and a relatively safe farming route, this is a must-visit for mid to late-game players.

2. Cave of Knowledge Revisited

Most players skip this early area after the tutorial, but returning later with Torrent reveals an alternate path leading to hidden items and a small rune stash. It’s a reminder that nothing in Elden Ring is ever truly empty.

3. Hidden Path to the Haligtree

Tucked beneath the Grand Lift of Rold, this illusory wall and fog-covered path lead to a secret dungeon and eventually Miquella’s Haligtree. It's a high-risk, high-reward area filled with strong enemies and high rune drops.

4. Sellia, Town of Sorcery

Completing the puzzle here unlocks hidden chambers and spell-focused loot. The ghostly enemies drop runes efficiently, making this a solid farming zone for magic builds.

5. Subterranean Shunning Grounds

Beneath Leyndell lies a massive hidden area crawling with tough foes and secrets. The deeper you go, the more intense the rune rewards get — especially near the Frenzied Flame Proscription.

6. Windmill Village

While not hidden in the traditional sense, few players linger long in this eerie village. Yet the dancing enemies drop generous amounts of runes, and there’s a surprise boss waiting at the top.

7. Divine Tower of Caelid

Off the beaten path and guarded by fearsome foes, this tower not only activates Radahn’s Great Rune but also hides some high-tier loot. Exploring the tower’s surroundings can net additional runes and rare gear.

8. Consecrated Snowfield Caves

Several caves in this harsh region remain easily missed, but they often contain enemies with high rune yields and chests with powerful Elden Ring items for sale-worthy value.

9. Lake of Rot Shoreside

Trek through rot and despair to reach hidden islands where enemies and items are abundant. The risk is significant, but the rune payoff is well worth it.

10. Yelough Anix Tunnel

A lesser-known mine in the western Consecrated Snowfield, this tunnel holds smithing materials and high-level enemies. It’s a solid place to farm runes while upgrading your gear.

11. Night's Sacred Ground

Located in Nokron, this secretive area is filled with Silver Tear enemies that offer good rune rewards and valuable upgrade materials.

12. Village of the Albinaurics (Lower Section)

A lesser-explored segment of this village hides strong foes and a decent rune route. Worth checking out if you're revisiting Liurnia.

13. Caria Manor Rooftops

After clearing the manor, explore its upper levels. These hidden paths lead to surprising enemy encounters and items that justify the effort.

14. Sealed Tunnel

This illusory-wall-heavy dungeon near the Capital outskirts is a treasure trove of runes and crafting materials, with a unique boss fight to boot.

15. Dragonbarrow Fork

The eastern cliffs of Dragonbarrow have some sneaky ledges and ruins that hide rune-rich enemies and an optional boss.

16. Abandoned Cave

This scarlet rot-infested cave near the Smoldering Wall grace point holds some of the most potent consumables and great rune rewards — just pack lots of Preserving Boluses.

17. Cliffbottom Catacombs

Hidden near the Liurnia cliffs, this dungeon features imps and strong spirits with high rune yield. The boss fight is also a great early challenge.

18. Ainsel River Depths

This underground river hides multiple areas, from Uhl Palace Ruins to Nokstella. Farming the magic users and automatons here yields strong rune gains.

19. Crumbling Farum Azula Side Zones

While most players rush to the bosses, veering off the main path reveals lesser-known enemy clusters perfect for rune farming.

20. Altus Tunnel Hidden Room

Smash through a false wall in this mine to reveal a hidden chamber with enemies and rune-rewarding loot.

21. Highroad Cave

Accessible via the broken bridge north of Saintsbridge, this cave has a few tricky jumps and a rune-heavy boss encounter.

22. Tomb of the Hero (Weeping Peninsula)

This tomb holds a Crucible Knight and several rune-yielding mobs. Ideal for early-game rune boosting.

23. Sage’s Cave

Located in Altus Plateau, this cave features multiple illusory walls and treasure chests, making it a goldmine for runes and gear alike.

24. Path to Deeproot Depths

A convoluted route under Leyndell that ends with high-level enemies and secret loot — perfect for anyone looking to stockpile resources.

25. Ordina, Liturgical Town

While the main event here is solving the Evergaol puzzle, exploring this ghost town thoroughly will yield hidden enemies and rune clusters.

Exploring these hidden areas is not just about racking up rune counts — it’s about discovering everything the Lands Between has to offer. Whether you're a completionist or just need a boost before taking on the next shardbearer, these locations offer both challenge and reward.

And for those who don’t have time to grind or prefer a head start, there are safe options online where players can buy Elden Ring runes PS5 or find Elden Ring items for sale, though nothing quite beats the thrill of finding them yourself in a forgotten tomb or behind an illusory wall.