Hidden deep within God of War Ragnarök, the Crater offers more than just enemies to slay – it’s a sprawling expanse filled with secrets, shifting wildlife cycles, and side quests that tie directly into Kratos’ past. Exploring it can transform your understanding of the game’s world and reward you with some of its most memorable moments.
The Crater is easily the largest area in all of God of War Ragnarök. It’s located in the northwest corner of Vanaheim, and you won’t be able to see it on the map – let alone get there – until you’ve really made a dent in the game’s main story. It’s got three zones (the Plains, the Jungle, and the Sinkholes), and each are packed with side content for you to adventure through as you approach the titular Ragnarök.
In this guide, we’re going to break down how and when you can reach the crater, what you can do there, and why we think it’s worth your precious time.
How do I get to the Vanaheim Crater in God of War Ragnarök?
To reach the Vanaheim Crater, head to the Veiled Passage in the Mountain of the Vanaheim region, then follow the snow-covered path south until you reach the crater’s rim; from there, descend carefully and use the nearby Rift to drop into the crater arena.
Before we get into the meat here, a heads up this post covers some mild spoilers – though we’ve kept the text pointedly vague while also providing the information you need.
Roughly two-thirds of the way though Ragnarök, you’ll head back to Vanaheim to help Freyr out of a bind. You’ll eventually make your way back to Freyr’s Camp, where you’ll get a side quest called the “Scent of Survival” from Lunda’s dog.
This side quest is very simple: It literally just asks you to follow the dog through Vanaheim. You’ll have to deal with some day/night cycle shenanigans, but the dog will eventually show you the path to the Crater. Once you arrive, you’ll be able to leave or return anytime you want via the mystic gateway right at the area’s entrance.
When should I do The Crater and where should I start?
The Crater becomes available after completing the main story missions in Vanaheim, so it’s best explored once you’ve gained stronger gear and more abilities. You’ll reach it through a favor that sends you north of the river delta, opening a large hidden region full of dragons, side quests, and rare loot. Begin at the Plains entrance, which connects to The Jungle and The Sinkholes, allowing you to tackle challenges in any order while discovering new paths as you progress.
The Crater is a relatively high-level zone, and you’re going to get your ass kicked a bit if you’re any lower than level six, which is still kinda pushing it. We recommend you be about level seven or even eight before trying some of the harder fights in the area.
As far as the story goes, you can go anytime after you unlock the Crater. However, we highly recommend you do the Crater before you initiate the game’s final mission in Midgard. You can still complete everything after the game is over, but the story beats hit harder when you complete the Crater before the credits roll.
Once you make it the Crater, you should resist the urge to explore the Plains first, as the Crater is in severe need of water to fill the rivers. This isn’t merely environmental altruism. Restoring the river unlocks access to more convenient travel and some collectibles.
To turn on the water, look at the Plains section on your map and look on the left side. You’ll notice a tiny bridge leading into a fog. This is the entrance to the Jungle, which houses the dam. Head there first and unleash the floodgates to spare yourself some headache.
What loot and trophies can I get in the Crater?
In God of War Ragnarök’s Crater, players can obtain Dragon Scaled Armor by defeating the area’s dragons, along with materials for superior upgrades from the Centaur Huntress ambushes across its zones. Collectibles include Nornir Chests, Odin’s Ravens, artifacts, buried treasures with Asgardian Ingots and Luminous Alloy, Yggdrasil Rifts, and lore items. Trophies such as Dragon Slayer for crafting the armor set and Invasive Species for completing all crater hunts require full exploration of the Plains, Jungle, and Sinkholes.
There be dragons in the Crater, and you’ll need to take them out if you want one of the game’s best armor sets: the Dragon Scaled Armor. You’ll also get ambushed a number of times in the Crater by a centaur Huntress – once in each zone. Defeating her in her lair, located off the beaten path in the Jungle, for a fourth time will give you key resources to craft even more cool armor.
There are also several Odin’s Ravens and Nornir Chests found throughout the Crater, as well as some artifacts, so if you’re a collector you’ll definitely need to spend some time down here. If you’re curious about nabbing God of War Ragnarök‘s platinum trophy for the game, you’ll need to trawl the Crater to access the following:
- The Curator (Bronze) – Collect all of the Artifacts
- Full Belly (Silver) – Obtain all of the Apples of Idunn and Horns of Blood Mead
- Dragon Slayer (Silver) – Craft the Dragon Scaled Armor Set
- Invasive Species (Silver) – Complete all of the Crater Hunts
- Purge of Hart (Silver) – Return the Stags of the Four Seasons
A quick note on Purge of Hart, the trophy you get by rescuing the Stags of the Four Seasons. All of these stags are very easy to find, except one, and that’s mostly because the map is tricky. There is one Stag in the Jungle, one in the Sinkholes, and the in The Plains.
However, that’s only according to the map. To get to the second Stag in The Plains, you actually need to adventure into the Wishing Well, which you can only access via The Sinkholes, but exits into The Plains. So if you get down there and find all the Stags except for one in The Plains, use our Wishing Well guide to find the final one.
Is The Crater worth my time?
The Crater is absolutely worth your time-it’s packed with hidden areas, optional bosses, and side quests that reveal more about the game’s world and characters. Each region feels distinct, offering new challenges and rewards that make exploration genuinely satisfying. Whether you’re tracking down rare materials, helping spirits find peace, or battling powerful creatures, the Crater constantly gives you something meaningful to do.
The Crater is absolutely worth your time. It’s one of the coolest and most fun areas in all of Ragnarök, and it’s absolutely packed with side quests and – as we mentioned above – loot.
But more importantly, it also tells an interesting story that – while disconnected from the main thrust of God of War Ragnarök – fills in some key details for a mysterious character. It’s a really well-designed area and we highly recommend popping your head in to check it out, even if you’re unable to take on some of the boss fights until after you finish the main story.
How to access the Crater in Vanaheim
To access the Crater in Vanaheim, complete the “Creatures of Prophecy” main quest first, then start the “Scent of Survival” favor at Freyr’s Camp by following Helka the dog’s tracks north.
Starting the Quest
From Freyr’s Camp, track Helka’s blue footprints through Northern Vanaheim during daytime (use a Celestial Altar if needed to clear branches). Jump into a boat, sail north to her perch, grapple up with Blades of Chaos, and fight enemies along the path.
Reaching the Crater
Follow Helka to a cliffside viewpoint, interact to launch the flying boat (unlocked in the main story), and watch the cutscene for an emergency landing near the first Mystic Gateway. Fast travel becomes available immediately after.
Full Exploration Prep
For boat navigation across the Plains, Sinkholes, and Jungle sub-regions, complete the “Return of the River” favor by repairing the dam in the Jungle (bottom of the Crater map). This floods dry areas, enabling ziplines, grapples, and full access to collectibles and bosses.
What rewards are in the Scent of Survival quest
The “Scent of Survival” favor in God of War Ragnarök offers modest direct rewards but unlocks major content in Vanaheim’s Crater. Completing it grants access to this expansive post-game area, ideal for side quests and upgrades.
XP Gains
You earn 1000 XP for Kratos and 250 XP for Atreus upon finishing the quest by riding the paper boat with Helka to the Crater’s Plains sub-region. These points help level up for tougher challenges ahead.
Key Unlocks
The main payoff is entry to the Crater via the emergency landing spot, including a nearby Mystic Gateway for fast travel. This sets up further favors like “For Vanaheim” (restoring the river) and Crater Hunts for dragon bosses and elite gear.
