Spring of Courage BOTW: Complete Guide & Tips
Introduction
If you play Breath of the Wild, the phrase spring of courage BOTW likely sparks curiosity: is it a hidden shrine, a secret test, or a rich reward waiting in Hyrule? In this full guide you’ll discover what the Spring of Courage is, how to find it among BOTW locations, puzzle solutions you can use, and the best combat and exploration tips to reach it. Whether you’re chasing a Spirit Orb, tracking a shrine quest, or just exploring Hyrule Field and Rito Village, this article helps you approach the Spring of Courage with confidence.
What is the Spring of Courage in Breath of the Wild?
The Spring of Courage in BOTW is often described by players as a special landmark that functions like a shrine or trial: it tests bravery, rewards exploration, and ties into the game’s themes of courage and the Champion quests. While Breath of the Wild is full of shrines, Korok puzzles, and divine beast quests, the Spring of Courage stands out as a location-focused challenge that rewards careful play and persistence.
Depending on how you experience the game, this spring may appear in stories as a hidden pond, a shrine-like cavern, or a shrine puzzle requiring stamina, timing, and combat skill. For many players, finding the spring feels like solving an environmental riddle—combining world exploration with the satisfaction of a meaningful reward.
Where to find the Spring of Courage: locations & hints
Exact placement can vary by playthrough and interpretation, because BOTW scatters secret locations across Hyrule. Use these tips and likely locations as you search:
- Near natural landmarks: Springs and hidden pools often sit under overhangs, inside caves, or beside unusual rock formations. Check canyons, cliffside alcoves, and valleys.
- Close to shrines and shrine quests: Many secret springs are tied to shrine sequences or side quests. If you spot a shrine puzzle or an NPC hint, investigate nearby pools and caves.
- Highlands and mountain valleys: Areas like the Great Plateau, Hebra, or mountainous borders between regions sometimes hide springs in ledge systems.
- Listen for audio cues: Water, chimes, or ambient music changes can hint at nearby springs or shrine entrances.
Common BOTW locations to check include forest clearings near Kakariko, hidden caves around Hyrule Field, and grottoes that require bolt or bomb use to access. If you’re following a specific quest, like parts of the Champion’s Ballad or shrine-related side quests, the spring may appear as part of that path.
How to access the Spring of Courage: step-by-step
Accessing the Spring of Courage reliably requires preparation. Follow this step-by-step checklist:
- Gear up: Bring a variety of arrows, shields, and a high-durability melee weapon. Armor with elemental resistance can be useful in some spring puzzles that change the environment.
- Stock stamina and food: Many spring encounters involve climbing, gliding, or sprinting. Keep stamina-restoring meals and elixirs handy.
- Prepare for combat: Some springs are guarded by Guardians, Hinox, or elemental foes. Ancient arrows, bomb tactics, and flurry rush preparedness will help.
- Scout from above: Use Paraglider or Revali’s Gale to get a bird’s-eye view of suspect areas. Springs often hide in depressions or behind cliffs.
- Activate nearby map towers: Unlocking a tower gives good context for nearby BOTW locations and shrines, making it easier to triangulate hidden springs.
Once you find the likely spot:
- Examine the environment for puzzles—pressure plates, lit braziers, or movable objects.
- Check for NPC hints or quest logs referencing courage, memory, or trials.
- Use Magnesis, Stasis, and Cryonis to manipulate the environment and access hidden entrances.
Puzzle solutions and examples at the Spring of Courage
Springs that test courage often combine platforming, timing, and a bit of combat. Here are common puzzle archetypes you may encounter and how to solve them:
1. Light and shadow puzzle
Some springs require positioning reflective surfaces or lighting torches in sequence. Tips:
- Use the sun’s angle—move metal plates with Magnesis to cast beams.
- Fire arrows or Revali’s Gale can help you reach high braziers.
- Look for markings on walls pointing to the right ritual order.
2. Timed platform puzzle
Platforms may sink or appear for brief windows. For success:
- Boost stamina with hearty meals if long sprints or climbs are needed.
- Use Stasis to freeze moving blocks in place, then hit again to launch them.
- Bring a Korok leaf or Gusts (from Zonai devices in later titles) to push you through a gap.
3. Combat gatekeeper
Some springs have enemies protecting the entrance. Recommendations:
- Clear enemies methodically; shield parry or perfect dodge to trigger flurry rushes.
- Use remote bombs or ranged arrows to thin out foes before entering narrow spaces.
- Exploit elemental weaknesses—ice to freeze, fire to burn wooden obstacles.
4. Weight and balance puzzle
Pressure plates that require specific weights are common. Solutions:
- Move metal crates with Magnesis to weigh down plates.
- Use multiple small items or drop heavy weapons on plates.
- Sometimes you must stand on one plate while redirecting an object onto another—coordinate movements carefully.
Rewards: What you get from the Spring of Courage
Rewards vary, but several things players commonly report getting from springs and shrine-like trials include:
- Spirit Orbs: Classic shrine payouts that you can exchange for heart containers or stamina vessels. If the Spring of Courage functions like a shrine, expect a Spirit Orb or shrine completion reward.
- Unique gear or armor pieces: Sometimes springs hide rare items or upgrade materials usable by Great Fairies or armorers.
- Materials and Korok seeds: Hidden pools can contain rare herbs, fish, or small puzzles that reward Korok seeds.
- Quest progression: Completing a spring challenge can unlock NPC dialogue, add a map pin, or advance Champion or shrine quests.
Even when the reward is not immediately obvious, the exploration and map knowledge you gain are valuable: discovering hidden springs helps you learn BOTW locations and connect pieces of Hyrule’s geography for later quests.
Combat, traversal, and stamina tips
Success at a spring often depends on how well you manage combat and movement. Follow these practical tips:
- Stamina management: Carry stamina-boosting food and avoid long sprints without planning. Use paraglider drops to conserve stamina when descending into valleys.
- Use the environment: Spring puzzles reward creative use of Magnesis, Cryonis, and Stasis. Look for movable bridges or ice pillars you can create to cross gaps.
- Elemental strategy: Use fire to clear webs, ice to freeze water surfaces, and electricity to activate metal-based mechanisms from a distance.
- Weapon conservation: Don’t waste your favorite weapons on fodder enemies. Use bombs and inexpensive weapons on low-threat foes and save durability for boss-like encounters.
- Fast travel smartly: Unlock nearby towers or shrines to reduce backtracking when hunting BOTW locations, including springs.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Players frequently miss a Spring of Courage or fail a puzzle due to a few repeatable errors. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Rushing into combat: Scouting before you fight gives you platforming or stealth options that can make a fight trivial.
- Ignoring audio cues: Springs sometimes hide behind subtle sound changes. Listen for water trickles or distinct shrine chimes.
- Not checking walls and ceilings: Entrances can be above or behind waterfalls and overhangs—use your camera and glide to inspect fully.
- Poor inventory prep: Not bringing the right arrows, bombs, or elixirs can make a trial much harder. Balance offense and utility.
Examples from around Hyrule: player stories
Players share memorable Spring of Courage experiences across forums and guidebooks. Here are a few example scenarios you might relate to:
- A player found a spring hidden behind a waterfall near Zora’s Domain. The path required climbing with limited stamina, so they used hearty meals and Cryonis pillars to create stepping stones.
- Another player encountered a shrine-like spring guarded by a small group of Moblins. By luring them into a narrow canyon and using shock arrows, they completed the puzzle with minimal damage.
- A speedrunner-style solution involved using Revali’s Gale and precise paragliding to bypass a timed platform puzzle, showing how traversal tools can replace combat or long puzzles.
These stories show how varied the Spring of Courage can be—rewarding creativity, patience, and careful observation.
FAQ: Common questions about the Spring of Courage BOTW
1. Is the Spring of Courage an official shrine?
Not always. The Spring of Courage can refer to shrine-like trials or hidden spring locations tied to in-world lore. Sometimes it functions exactly like a shrine; other times it’s a secret area that yields unique rewards.
2. Do I need a specific quest to unlock the Spring of Courage?
It depends on the spring. Some springs are unlocked through shrine quests or Champion-related side quests, while others are purely environmental secrets you can find by exploring.
3. What are typical rewards from the Spring of Courage?
Rewards range from Spirit Orbs and rare materials to armor pieces and Korok seeds. If it’s tied to a shrine, expect at least a Spirit Orb; if it’s a hidden grotto, you may find materials or treasure chests.
4. Are there specific tools that make finding springs easier?
Yes. Magnesis, Stasis, Cryonis, and the Paraglider are invaluable. Stamina-boosting foods, elemental arrows, and Ancient weaponry can also make trials easier.
5. Can I miss the Spring of Courage permanently?
No—most springs remain discoverable throughout the game. If you skip one, you can return later. Open-world exploration encourages revisiting regions with new tools and abilities.
Conclusion
The spring of courage BOTW is one of those delightful discoveries that blends Breath of the Wild’s exploration, shrine mechanics, and world storytelling. Whether you encounter it as a shrine, a hidden pool, or a puzzle-filled grotto, approaching the spring with good preparation—stamina items, elemental tools, and a careful eye—makes the experience smoother and more rewarding. Keep an ear out for audio hints, scan cliff faces and waterfalls, and remember that many BOTW locations hide their best secrets behind patience and creativity. Now grab your gear, glide over Hyrule’s valleys, and find your Spring of Courage.

