How to reach the back gate of Shadow Keep in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

By James On Jun 28, 2024

The Backgate of Shadow Keep is one of the many exits from the Shadow Keep Elden Ring‘s DLC, Shadow of the Erdtreebut the back gate is also the only access to the Hinterland.

The back gate leads you to a few landmarks, such as the Scaduview Chalice and the Hinterlands, the elusive upper-right corner of the map in the Realm of Shadow, which is required for the Ruins Map (2nd) in the Count Ymir questline.

Reaching the back gate is a challenge in itself, as there is no clear entrance on the map, but you know you have to go through the Shadow Castle.

Read on to find out how to get to the Shadow Keep Back Gate Grace’s site and how to reach the hinterland.

How do you get to the Shadow Keep Back Gate Site of Grace?

Graphics: Johnny Yu | Image source: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Jeffrey Parkin

To start, teleport to the Entrance to Grace Church Districtwhich is located northwest of the Cathedral of Manus Metyr.

Split image of the path across the rooftops in the Shadow Keep church district in the Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree.

Jump to the building in front of you and continue across the roof to the right towards the next building. Jumping to the next building may seem impossible, but you can make the jump if you use the spiked roofs. Sprint across the spiked roof and jump to the building to the northwest.

Go along the edge of the building to the right until you reach the northern corner. Cross over to the platform to your right and quickly jump to the building to your northwest to avoid the newly spawned enemies.

Character jumping to a buttress and a roof in the church district of Elden RIng's DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree.

There is a Fire Knight on this building that we recommend defeating, but you can also sprint past it. Head south to the lower half of the roof and look southeast to find a support pillar: the sloping stone support. Jump onto the buttress and continue to the roof, which has a huge hole in it.

A character jumping on an arch in Elden Ring's Church District DLC Shadow of the Erdtree.

Jump down the hole to the arches below and go to the large hole in the floor to the southwest. Enter and follow the path to the northwest, where a few Fire Knights live. Defeat them or run past them and go to the third door on your left. Follow this path and take the elevator to the top to reach the Specimen Storehouse.

Path showing you where the ladder is from the Backsection Site of Grace in the Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree.

Go left to get the Warehouse, Rear Section Site of Grace and activate it. Go west and climb the ladder ahead, which will lead you to another Fire Knight with his back to you.

A hole in the wall of the Shadow Keep found behind a bookshelf in the Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree.

Avoid the Fire Knight and go up the stairs to the east. Behind the bookshelf you’ll find a hole in the wall that leads to a wooden path that wraps around the outer wall of the Shadow Keep. Follow the path to the Warehouse, attic location of grace.

Path leading to the Shadow Keep Back Gate Site of Grace in the Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree.

Take the lift to the top of the arches and follow the path on your left to find a ladder leading up. Climb up the ladder and follow the path in front of you to the large wooden gear. Drop down to the cog and jump over the wooden platform.

A drop-down point leading to an elevator in the loft area of the Specimen Storehouse in Elden Ring's DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree.

Continue until you hit the edge of the platform and drop down to the area below. From here, go through the door to the north and take the elevator down. Follow the path to find another elevator and take it down to the Shadow Keep, Backgate Location of Mercy.

How do you get to the hinterland?

Access the Hinterland in Elden Ring's DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree.

Starting from the Shadow Keep, Backgate Location of Mercyenter the hallway on your right to Statue of Marika. Walk up to the statue and make the “O Mother” gesture to unlock the secret entrance to the Hinterlands.

You can now continue to find the location of the Ruins Map (2nd) which is needed to continue the Count Ymir questline.

Looking for more Shadow of the Erdtree Guides? Check out our guides on new Old Ring DLC weapons, armor, map fragments, sites of grace and talismans. We also have location guides on where to find Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes, and an interactive Elden Ring DLC map.