To successfully reach and explore Crystal Peak in Hollow Knight, players should follow a specific route and ensure they have the necessary abilities. Here’s a detailed guide to help you navigate this section of the game effectively:

Step-by-Step Instructions to Reach Crystal Peak

1. Starting Point: Dirtmouth
Begin your journey at Dirtmouth, the quaint town above the Hollow Nest.

2. Descend into Forgotten Crossroads
Drop down the well located in Dirtmouth to enter the Forgotten Crossroads.

3. Navigate Right
Once in the Forgotten Crossroads, head to the right. You will encounter several pathways; follow these steps carefully.

4. Take Downward Exit
When you reach the first opportunity to go down (noted by a downward exit), take that path.

5. First Right Exit
After descending, look for the first exit on the right side and take it. This will guide you through a network of corridors.

6. Branching Path
Continue into the corridor until you reach a branching path. Here, choose the top path to progress further.

7. Ride the Lift
Follow this path until you come across a lift. Get on the lift and ride it to the top.

8. Encounter the Rumble
Once you exit the lift, continue heading to the right until you reach a dark patch of ground that emits a rumble.

9. Use Desolate Dive
Use your Desolate Dive ability to break through this ground, allowing access to Crystal Peak.

Inside Crystal Peak

Once you’ve successfully entered Crystal Peak, keep the following tips in mind to navigate the hazards and challenges:

– Platforming Challenges
Proceed carefully through the area. Watch out for hazards such as lasers, spike pits, and flying Crystal Hunters.

– Find Cornifer
Keep an eye out for Cornifer, the cartographer. He is located within Crystal Peak and sells the map of the area for 112 Geo. Purchasing this map can significantly enhance your navigation within the biome.

– Using Crystal Heart
As you venture deeper, you’ll eventually reach a large chasm. Here, utilize your Crystal Heart ability to fly across. This skill is essential for traversing areas filled with gaps, allowing you to reach the Crystallized Mound.

– Desolate Dive on Crystallized Mound
Continue exploring by breaking through the floors of the Crystallized Mound using Desolate Dive to uncover more areas within Crystal Peak.

Required Abilities

Before you embark on this journey, ensure you have the following movement abilities unlocked:
– Mothwing Cloak (dash): This allows you to perform quick dodges and navigate gaps effectively.
– Mantis Claw (wall jump): This ability is crucial for scaling walls and reaching higher areas throughout your exploration.

Summary

Your route to Crystal Peak follows these steps:
– From Dirtmouth, enter Forgotten Crossroads via the well.
– Navigate right, take first downward exit, then first right exit.
– Take the top path at the branching intersection and ride the lift.
– Use Desolate Dive on the rumbling ground to enter Crystal Peak.
– Progress through the area cautiously, purchasing the map from Cornifer for guidance.
– Ensure you have dash and wall jump abilities to navigate effectively.

With this guide and the right abilities, you are well-prepared to face the unique enemies and challenges found within the eastern mountain area of Crystal Peak, a former site of crystal mining. Happy exploring!