What to know

  • Old Trails quest unlocks a permanent horse for your journey​.
  • Starts at the Old Stables, west of Atsu’s childhood home​.
  • Includes combat, memory flashbacks, and horse selection.
  • Rewards: new mount and the "Naming a Friend" trophy.

Overview of Old Trails quest

Step No. Objective Notes
1 Find the Old Stables West of Atsu’s home, near Sarubetsu River
2 Speak to Stablemaster Triggers initial quest events
3 Defeat Saito’s forces Stealth or direct combat options
4 Follow Stablemaster to fields Initiates flashback sequence
5 Track horses (flashback) Inspect manure, follow hoofprints
6 Whistle to call horses Ends flashback, brings horses forward
7 Choose and name your horse Pick color and name; choice is permanent
8 Claim rewards “Naming a Friend” trophy, Charm of Bountiful Harvest

After a brief visit to Atsu’s home, the Old Trails quest emerges as a missable side tale in Ghost of Yotei. It guides you through a hidden journey to choose your companion steed and offers insight into Atsu’s background, all while weaving together exploration, stealth, and memory-driven storytelling.

Location Of Old Trails quest

The Old Trails quest in Ghost of Yōtei is located in the Yotei Grasslands region, just west of Atsu’s Home near the Sarubetsu River. You’ll find the starting point at the Old Stables, a small, weathered stable complex marked by broken fences and scattered horses. The area sits southwest of Shikotsu Woods, making it easy to reach if you follow the riverbank or the dirt trail leading from the woods.

Step-by-step guide to complete Old Trails in Ghost of Yotei

Follow these steps to complete the Old Trails side quest early on in Ghost of Yotei and get your game's constant companion:

Step 1: Find the Stables

Head to the Old Stables area in Yotei Grasslands, which lie southeast of Shikotsu Woods. The quest will auto-trigger as you approach.

Step 2: Talk to the Stablemaster

Once you reach the stables, speak with the Stablemaster (he’s usually next to a horse). This conversation triggers the arrival of Saito’s forces.

Step 3: Defeat Saito’s Forces

After talking, enemy forces appear.

  • You can choose a direct combat approach.
  • Alternatively, use stealth (hide in tall grass) and pick off enemies quietly.

Once all enemies are defeated, return to talk with the Stablemaster again.

Step 4: Follow the Stablemaster

Mount your horse and follow him through the fields. At some point you'll be forced off your mount, and the narrative shifts.

Step 5: Follow Horse Tracks / Enter Memory

You’ll reach an area with muddy ground and visible tracks.

  • Ignore some tracks (left) and follow the correct route on the right.
  • This leads you to Kengo (Atsu’s father) and triggers a flashback sequence.
    During the memory: you track the horses via manure and hoofprints, climb a hill, and listen to Kengo speaking.
Step 6: Return to the Stablemaster

After the memory, you return to the present. From higher ground you whistle, then go back down to meet Stablemaster.

Step 7: Choose a Horse

Once you whistle, multiple horses appear. You can choose from three (white, black, mottled). If you own the Digital Deluxe Edition, a fourth option is available.
Pick one, name it (the name is permanent), and this finishes the quest.

Old Trails side quest rewards

Reward Type Name / Description Notes
Trophy “Naming a Friend” Awarded automatically upon completing the quest after naming your horse.
Charm Charm of Bountiful Harvest Increases resource yield slightly when gathering materials.
Cosmetic Night in Shadows saddle color Optional cosmetic unlocked after completion.
Companion Horse of your choice You can select and name your horse; the decision is permanent.
Experience / Progress Minor Legend Increase Slight boost to legend progress (varies by difficulty).

Tips for completing Old Trails

Choice importance

You’ll get to choose and name your horse near the end. The horse’s color and name are purely cosmetic and have no gameplay advantages—but your choice is permanent.

Reward details

Completing the quest grants the “Naming a Friend” trophy and the Charm of Bountiful Harvest, a charm that slightly increases resource yield.

Exploration tip

The stables area contains a few supplies and crafting materials—check inside the small barn and along the fences before leaving.

Optional dialogue

Revisit the Stablemaster after the quest; he sometimes shares a short line reflecting Atsu’s bond with her new horse.

Old Trails is a brief but meaningful quest that helps define your journey in Ghost of Yotei, both through the choice of your mount and the personal history it touches on. Its organic discovery encourages exploration and depth, setting the tone for Atsu’s adventure. Once you've selected and named your horse, Old Trails is completed. You’ll also earn the Naming a Friend trophy (bronze). From here, you’ll ride that horse for the rest of the game.