What to know

  • Quest type: Trail’s End is a Wayfarer Wish in Hollow Knight: Silksong.
  • Objective: Track and locate Shakra in the Bilewater region to complete the quest.
  • Reward: Unlocks the Throwing Ring, a versatile tool for combat.
  • Starting point: Accept the quest from Bellhart’s Wishboard.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is a sprawling Metroidvania adventure, and the Trail’s End quest is one of its engaging side activities. As you guide Hornet through the hauntingly beautiful world of Pharloom, this Wayfarer Wish offers a chance to explore the treacherous Bilewater region, interact with key NPCs, and unlock a unique tool that enhances your combat options. This guide walks you through every step of the Trail’s End quest, from starting it to claiming your reward, while highlighting its challenges and strategic tips to make your journey smoother.

What is the Trail’s End quest in Silksong

The Trail’s End is categorized as a Wayfarer Wish, one of several side quest types in Hollow Knight: Silksong, which also include Hunt, Gather, Donate, and Learn Wishes. Each Wish type has distinct objectives, and Wayfarer Wishes like Trail’s End focus on exploration and NPC interactions. Your goal here is to track down Shakra, a key character, in the Bilewater region, navigating its hazardous terrain to reach her final location. Completing this quest not only progresses your adventure but also rewards you with a tool that can change how you approach combat encounters.

Trail’s End location: How to get to start the Trail’s End quest

To kick off the Trail’s End quest, you’ll need to visit Bellhart, a central hub in Pharloom where many side quests begin. Here’s how to get started:

  • Head to Bellhart’s Wishboard, a central feature in the town where quests are posted.
  • Accept the Trail’s End Wish from the Wishboard to officially begin tracking Shakra.
  • Ensure you’ve purchased all of Shakra’s maps, as this is a prerequisite to unlocking the quest. These maps are available from Shakra herself, whom you’ll encounter earlier in the game near Bone Bottom.
    • Map prices:
      • Mosslands Map: 40 Rosaries
      • The Marrow Map: 50 Rosaries
      • Quill: 50 Rosaries
      • Compass: 70 Rosaries
      • Bench Pins: 60 Rosaries
      • Bellway Pins: 60 Rosaries
      • Shell Marker: 40 Rosaries

If you’re short on Rosaries, consider farming them in The Marrow, just before Bellway. A quick 10-second route involves killing the first two enemies to the left of a bench, resetting at the bench, and repeating, yielding about 10 Rosaries per run.

Once you’ve accepted the quest, your objective is to track Shakra through the Bilewater region, a perilous area filled with toxic pools, aggressive enemies, and complex platforming sections. Here’s a step-by-step guide to reaching her:

  • Enter Bilewater: From Bellhart, head to the Bilewater region, which you can access after progressing through earlier areas like Moss Grotto or The Marrow.
  • Follow the northeastern path: Shakra’s final location is in a hidden pathway in the northeasternmost part of Bilewater. Look for subtle environmental cues, such as narrow passages or breakable walls, to find this path.
  • Unlock the west-side bench: To make your journey easier, activate the bench on the west side of the Bilewater map. This requires navigating a series of platforming challenges but significantly reduces the distance you’ll need to travel if you die or need to backtrack. If you haven’t defeated Groal the Great, unlocking this bench is highly recommended to save time.
  • Watch for enemies and hazards: Bilewater is home to tough enemies and environmental dangers like acid pools. Use Hornet’s mobility skills, such as the Silkspear (unlocked earlier in the game), to break through web walls and dodge attacks. Equip Crests that enhance your movement or damage to handle combat efficiently.

Overcoming challenges in Bilewater

Bilewater’s terrain and enemies can test your platforming and combat skills. Here are some tips to help you succeed:

  • Platforming precision: The region features tricky jumps and moving platforms. Practice timing your dashes and jumps to avoid falling into toxic hazards.
  • Enemy strategies: Use ranged attacks or tools like the Silkspear to deal with flying or distant enemies. Save your Silk (mana) for healing or powerful abilities when facing tougher foes.
  • Conserve Rosaries: If you die, you’ll lose any unspent Rosaries unless you return to your shade. Prioritize spending them on upgrades or maps before entering high-risk areas.
  • Use the map and compass: Shakra’s maps, combined with the compass, make navigation easier. Pin key locations like benches or quest markers to stay oriented.

Trail’s End rewards: Claiming the Throwing Ring

Once you locate Shakra in the hidden northeastern pathway, interact with her to complete the Trail’s End Wish. She’ll reward you with the Throwing Ring, a versatile tool that bounces off enemies and is particularly effective against multiple ranged targets. This tool adds a new layer to Hornet’s combat arsenal, allowing you to:

  • Hit multiple enemies with a single throw, ideal for clearing groups.
  • Attack from a safe distance, reducing the risk of taking damage.
  • Combine the Throwing Ring with Crests to enhance its effects, such as increasing bounce range or damage.

The Throwing Ring is especially useful in Bilewater’s crowded enemy encounters and can be a game-changer in later areas of Pharloom, where ranged combat becomes more critical.

Trail’s End tips for a smoother quest experience

To make the Trail’s End quest as seamless as possible, consider these strategies:

  • Upgrade Hornet’s abilities: Before heading into Bilewater, ensure you’ve collected Spool Fragments to increase your Silk pool for more healing or ability uses. Two easy Spool Fragments can be found in early areas, as noted in achievement guides.
  • Complete related Wishes: Other Wayfarer Wishes, like My Missing Brother or The Lost Fleas, may overlap with your exploration of Bilewater. Tackle them simultaneously to maximize efficiency.
  • Rest often: Use benches to save your progress and recover health, especially after tough platforming or combat sections.
  • Explore thoroughly: Bilewater contains secrets like Mask Shards or Crests that can boost your stats. Keep an eye out for hidden paths while tracking Shakra.

Why do Trail’s End quest

Completing the Trail’s End Wish isn’t just about the reward—it’s a chance to deepen your exploration of Pharloom and master Hornet’s abilities. The quest encourages you to engage with Bilewater’s challenging environment, honing your skills for the broader game.

The Throwing Ring also opens up new combat strategies, making it easier to tackle bosses or other Wishes, such as Hunt or Gather quests, that require efficient crowd control.

Additionally, completing this quest contributes to unlocking achievements, like the Trail’s End achievement worth 30 Gamerscore, and progresses you toward 100% completion if you’re aiming for all collectibles and endings.