While most of Skyrim’s charm comes from its natural views, gorgeous cities perched on mountainsides, and crumbling Nordic ruins, the game just wouldn’t be the same without its caves and grottos. These underground areas contribute a great deal of life and mileage to the game by providing a look into what dwells underground.
From great loot to scary quests, caves have their utility in the game. And while they might feel repetitive, many of them are surprisingly well designed. Each of them tells a unique story, and sometimes it’s good to return to them in search of various ingredients or those cursed radiant quests everyone loves. Here are the best of Skyrim’s caves.
10 Stony Creek Cave
Located between Windhelm and Riften in the eastern mountains of Skyrim, the Stony Creek Cave is an unappreciated cave because it’s technically just an extension of the Kagrenzel Dwemer ruins located nearby. Still, this cave has a surprising amount to offer for those who dare wander in.
Various minor quests might randomly bring the player here for quest items. However, primarily, this place is great for finding one of the stones of Barenziah for the quest No Stone Unturned. It also has two Moonstone ore veins and is the location of Treasure Map X. An alchemy table is also located within, for players who specialize in potions.
9 Crystaldrift Cave
The mountains behind Riften in the far south, facing Lake Honrich, are full of secrets. One of those is Crystaldrift Cave. This is one of those caves that actually seeks to tell a story, with the body of Gadnor immediately catching the player’s attention as they approach. It’s not a big room, but it definitely leaves an impression.
Gadnor can be looted for a Staff of Charming. There are also two ore veins nearby, one for Moonstone and one for iron. You can also find a chest that’s been concealed behind the fire. As with all good caves, this one has a few facilities. There’s a cooking station for some quick food, as well as a shrine of Kynareth.
8 Rebel’s Cairn
Rebel’s Cairn is a relevant area during the Red Eagle quest, which will inevitably lead you here. Tread carefully when entering, because this is where Red Eagle’s final resting place is, and fighting him is anything but an easy task. To find the entrance, head east and slightly north from Markarth. It’s east of Karthwasten, on a mountain top.
This cave isn’t just cool for the quest alone. It’s also a dream come true for any alchemists looking for a variety of mushrooms for their potions. Additionally, there are some Slaughterfish Eggs, Nordic Barnacles, and Lavender as well. So for those seeking out ingredients, it’s a must-visit spot.
7 Glenmoril Coven
Another cave that becomes more important during a quest, the Glenmoril Coven is a cave inhabited by a group of witches or Hagravens. Located in the mountains northwest of Falkreath, the Companions quest line will eventually send you here to slay the witches and grab one of their heads.
That’s not all, however. The cave has a bunch of alchemy ingredients scattered around, which makes it fantastic for any alchemy enthusiasts. Some of these items are particularly rare finds, such as a Briar Heart. Enchanters will be happy to know there’s also an enchanting table here.
6 Nightingale Hall
This cave is an exclusive one and isn’t accessible to those who haven’t played the Thieves Guild questline far enough. However, it’s still a very important and noteworthy cave due to how much is hidden inside of it. Two skill books can be found here, but the real reward comes from the Thieves Guild quest.
You’ll receive the Nightingale armor in this cave, which is easily one of the best looking armors in the entire game. The full set increases stamina and frost resistance, allows you to move silently, makes lockpicking and one-handed attacks better, and lowers the cost of Illusion spells. The strength of these enchantments depends on the player’s level.
5 Shadowgreen Cavern
This cavern is closely related to the Red Eagle questline, although the location of Red Eagle’s helmet is picked randomly at each playthrough. Various other minor quest items can randomly spawn here, too. It’s located in the mountains above Solitude, near the Thalmor Embassy.
There’s a ton of alchemy ingredients available here, as well as corundum and moonstone ore veins. Three chests can also be found here, one of which is quite well-hidden and has an Expert level lock. This is a fantastic location for a ton of minor loot, and what’s even better is that it’s incredibly close to a major city and easy to find.
4 Southfringe Sanctum
It’s unlikely players will come across this cavern, given how many players will only return to this location near Helgen late in the game or not at all. It’s one of those spots that you’re not likely to ever hear of unless one of the many random fetch quests send you here.
The cave is unique to the spellsword Bashnag and his cultists living in the cavern. After they’re dealt with, there’s a bunch of ore veins to be mined, some inside and some outside, including iron, silver, and Moonstone. Two chests with random loot are also here, along with an actual boss chest. Bashnag’s armor can also be looted off him, which is a somewhat rare type of armor only Companions members can craft after the main quest’s completion, so make sure to drop by here.
3 Liar’s Retreat
Back to the Reach, where east of Karthwasten you can walk into a cave known as Liar’s Retreat. Be careful, however, since this area is completely overrun by Falmer that have essentially killed the bandits who once called this their little hideout.
This is another alchemist’s dream location, with a ton of different ingredients available. Not to worry, however, as it’s also the home of The Longhammer, a unique two-handed weapon found next to Rahd, a dead bandit. Make sure to also take advantage of the three corundum ore veins here.
2 Tolvald’s Cave
For a somewhat difficult and big cave, head over to Tolvald’s Cave, located in the Rift, south of the Ansilvund ruins. It’s quite a large area with three different levels, so prepare accordingly, as a ton of Falmer will be expecting intruders.
Some rare alchemy ingredients are found here, but the real treat would be all the ore veins and ores. There’s a myriad of chests, as well as the crown of Barenziah, which is a requirement for completing the quest No Stone Unturned. Facilities include an alchemy table and three different tanning racks.
1 Bloated Man’s Grotto
The best of the best has to be Bloated Man’s Grotto. Walking in here early on in the game is particularly rewarding if you have no idea what to expect. Be warned, however, that there are bears, Spriggans, and even a Sabre Cat around. To find this spot, cross the mountains north of Ilinalta Deep on Lake Ilinalta.
Various alchemy ingredients aside, this is the place to find the one and only Bolar’s Oathblade, a unique Blades sword. It might not be the best one-handed sword in the game, but it definitely looks cool and makes you feel like a hero. Not to mention it does a decent 25 points of stamina damage and has a chance of making enemies under level 12 flee combat.
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