Overview
Secret Places Challenges are part of the Exploration category in Crimson Desert. There are 60 Secret Places Challenges in total, tracked under the Wandering Footsteps tab in the journal. Each challenge involves finding a hidden Abyss Cresset tucked away in hard-to-reach or easily overlooked locations across Pywel. Completing all Secret Places Challenges unlocks the Pilgrim of Wonders trophy and achievement.
How to Find Secret Places
Secret Places are not marked on your map until you get close to them. When you approach a hidden Abyss Cresset, the area appears on your map as a Mysterious Energy icon with a question mark. The following methods help you locate them.
Blinding Flash: Use this ability to scan the horizon. Glints of light may indicate the location of a secret place.
Minimap icons: When you are very close to a hidden Abyss Cresset, a purple icon appears on your minimap.
Environmental clues: Look for unusual rock formations, narrow cave entrances, climbable pillars, or collapsed floors. Many secret places are behind destructible rubble or above seemingly unreachable ledges.
Audio cues: When exploring mountain ranges, listen for a distinct howling wind sound. This indicates a strong updraft that you can ride with Macduff's Air Dash or Glider to reach elevated secret spots.
Rewards
Finding each hidden Abyss Cresset in a Secret Places challenge grants Abyss Artifacts. These artifacts are used in the skill tree to learn new skills or enhance core stats, making Secret Places exploration a valuable part of character progression.
Known Secret Places Locations
The following table lists verified Secret Places locations. With 60 total challenges, this list will continue to grow as more are documented.
Challenge Name | Region | Location Details |
|---|---|---|
Found directly east of the Equinsher Saddlery. Climb a pillar formation to reach the Abyss Cresset at the summit. | ||
A Guide in the Darkness | Located on higher sections of the main path. Enter a closed ruins door where the floor collapses, then explore below to find the Abyss Cresset. | |
An Unreachable End | A Mysterious Energy marker appears at the southern edge of the Steel Mountains. The Abyss Cresset sits atop a tall stone pillar that must be climbed. | |
Subtle Gap | Anvil Hill | A small cave entrance within the Raiders Camp area. Look for a narrow gap in the rocks to access the hidden chamber. |
Everfrost Mountains | Find this Abyss Cresset beside the Cabin on the Snowy Plateau. | |
Giant Hand of Everfrost | Details pending verification |
Exploration Tips
Secret Places are spread across every region in Pywel. Do not limit your search to a single area.
Some hidden Abyss Cressets require parkour-style climbing or use of your glider. Keep your stamina high before attempting difficult climbs.
Destructible rubble sometimes blocks cave entrances. If your controller vibrates near a dead-end cave, try using abilities to clear the obstruction.
Explore off the beaten path. While most Sealed Abyss Artifacts are found along main roads, Secret Places are deliberately tucked away in less obvious locations.
After discovering a secret place, check the surrounding area. Some spots have multiple Abyss Cressets nearby.