This guide walks you through everything about the Grand Lift of Rold: how to reach it, how to activate it with the Rold Medallion, how to unlock the secret Haligtree route, what dangers surround it, and a few extra tips to avoid missing optional late-game content.
What the Grand Lift of Rold Actually Does
In simple terms, the Grand Lift of Rold is a huge elevator that connects Leyndell, Royal Capital to the Mountaintops of the Giants. It’s the “door” that opens once you’ve proved yourself by defeating Morgott, the Omen King.
Without using this lift, you can’t reach the main snowy areas, you can’t meet the Fire Giant, and you can’t push toward the final stretch of the story. It’s less of a shortcut and more of a major chapter break. Once you ride it, the world tone shifts from golden and overgrown to cold, silent, and hostile.
Later, the same lift also serves another purpose: if you bring a different medallion, it reveals a secret route to the Consecrated Snowfield and the path toward Miquella’s Haligtree. So the Grand Lift of Rold effectively controls two separate late-game regions:
- Standard route: Rold Medallion → Mountaintops of the Giants → Fire Giant and story progression.
- Secret route: Haligtree Secret Medallion → Hidden Path to the Haligtree → Consecrated Snowfield → Haligtree and Malenia.
How to Unlock the Grand Lift of Rold
The lift itself is visible earlier, but you can’t actually use it until certain conditions are met. The key requirement is beating Morgott in Leyndell.
Step 1: Defeat Morgott, the Omen King
Morgott waits in the Royal Capital as a major story boss. Once you defeat him, a short cutscene plays and your maiden, Melina, appears at the nearby Site of Grace.
Step 2: Receive the Rold Medallion from Melina
After Morgott falls, rest at the newly unlocked Site of Grace (usually named something like Erdtree Sanctuary or nearby story grace points). Melina will speak to you and hand over a key item:
- Rold Medallion – a complete medallion (not halves) used to operate the Grand Lift of Rold.
At the same time, she marks the lift’s location on your map. From this point on, your main path forward is officially “head to the Grand Lift of Rold and hoist the medallion.”
How to Reach the Grand Lift of Rold From Leyndell
The path to the lift is straightforward but dangerous, especially if you sprint blindly. The route runs through the Forbidden Lands, a dark, narrow area packed with enemies that try to knock you off cliffs.
Recommended Level and Preparation
- Recommended level: roughly 90-100 or higher.
- Upgrade your main weapon to at least +18 (regular) or +7 (somber) or better.
- Carry a torch or lantern – visibility in the Forbidden Lands is low.
- Have enough Flask of Crimson Tears charges; there are several ambushes on the road.
Step-by-Step Route
- From a Leyndell grace like Avenue Balcony or East Capital Rampart, follow the main road north and upwards, staying on paved routes and stairs.
- Pass through the upper city, heading toward the large gate leading to the Forbidden Lands.
- Activate the Forbidden Lands Site of Grace at the beginning of the dark forest stretch.
- Ride Torrent cautiously along the narrow paths. Many enemies here can either stagger you or knock you off the cliff.
- Continue heading east until you spot a massive stone platform with two huge statues and golden mist – this is the entrance to the Grand Lift of Rold.
Once you reach the platform, you’re safe. No enemies spawn in the immediate lift area, so you can relax, check your flasks, and prepare for the next region.
Using the Grand Lift of Rold With the Rold Medallion
When you step onto the circular depression in the center of the platform, a prompt appears at the bottom of the screen:
- “Hoist medallion” – this uses the Rold Medallion by default.
Choose it, and your Tarnished automatically lifts the medallion into the air. The statues around the mechanism light up, the entire platform rumbles, and a short cinematic sequence takes you up toward the Mountaintops of the Giants.
At the top, you’ll find yourself in a new area with fresh Sites of Grace and a completely different atmosphere – snow, howling wind, and dangerous enemies everywhere.
What Unlocks After the Lift
- The main route through the Mountaintops of the Giants.
- Access to late-game dungeons, churches, and Evergaols in the frozen region.
- The path to the Fire Giant, a critical late-game boss.
- Story progression toward the Forge of the Giants and end-game decisions.
The Secret Side: Haligtree Secret Medallion and Hidden Path
The Grand Lift of Rold isn’t just a one-way door to the giants. It also hides a secret mode that you can only activate with a different key item: the Haligtree Secret Medallion.
This medallion comes in two halves, like the Dectus Medallion earlier in the game. When combined, it unlocks a hidden route from the same lift, leading to some of the toughest (and best) late-game content.
| Medallion Part | Location | How to Get It | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haligtree Secret Medallion (Right) | Village of the Albinaurics (Liurnia) | Hit the suspicious pot near a grave, speak to Albus, and he gives it to you. | Easy to miss; the NPC is disguised as a pot. |
| Haligtree Secret Medallion (Left) | Castle Sol (Mountaintops of the Giants) | Defeat Commander Niall, then loot a chest on the ramparts behind the boss arena. | Castle Sol is optional but quite tough; come prepared. |
Once you have both halves, they combine into the full Haligtree Secret Medallion in your key items.
How to Activate the Secret Lift Route
With the full Haligtree Secret Medallion obtained, return to the Grand Lift of Rold. This time, you’re not going to hoist the standard Rold Medallion.
Steps for the Secret Route
- Stand on the lift platform just like before.
- Instead of immediately hoisting, look for a prompt that says “Switch action” (usually by pressing the same button you use to switch left/right actions).
- Toggle the action until it states “Hoist secret medallion”.
- Select it. Your character will now raise the Haligtree Secret Medallion instead of the Rold one.
- The statues shift slightly, and the lift moves in a different way, taking you to a new underground passage.
You’ll arrive in the Hidden Path to the Haligtree, a secret dungeon filled with invisible bridges, enemies hiding in mist, and cleverly concealed loot. This path eventually connects to the Consecrated Snowfield, which leads to Ordina, Liturgical Town, and finally to Miquella’s Haligtree and Malenia, Blade of Miquella.
Enemies and Dangers Around the Grand Lift of Rold
The lift platform itself is safe, but the route leading to it is not. The Forbidden Lands and the immediate area around the lift entrance can be extremely punishing, especially if you rush.
| Enemy Type | Location | Threat Level | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troll Warriors | Narrow roads through the Forbidden Lands | Medium | Hit the legs, watch stomp patterns, and don’t get caught near ledges. |
| Frozen Ghost Soldiers | Scattered along the path | Low | Weak to sweeping weapons and fire; avoid letting groups surround you. |
| Black Blade Kindred | Right outside the Grand Lift entrance | Very High (Optional) | Use summons, stay at mid-range, and circle to punish recovery. You can skip him entirely. |
If you’re just trying to reach the lift for story progression, you can avoid most fights. Torrent is allowed in the Forbidden Lands, so you can sprint past many enemies, only stopping to grab Sites of Grace or important loot.
Recommended Builds and Preparation Before the Lift
Since the Grand Lift of Rold marks the start of late-game content, it’s a good point to adjust your build and gear. Enemies in the Mountaintops and Snowfield hit much harder and have more health.
General Preparation
- Upgrade your main weapon close to the maximum your current materials allow.
- Level your Vigor to a comfortable breakpoint (40+ is common for late game).
- Unlock as many Flask of Wondrous Physick mixes as possible for boss fights.
- Carry status options (bleed, frostbite, or holy damage) depending on your build.
Build Tips by Archetype
- Melee Strength/Faith builds: consider holy or fire infusions and bring a sturdy shield for the trolls and giants.
- Dexterity/quality builds: fast weapons with bleed or frostbite help burn down tanky enemies.
- Intelligence builds: cold sorceries and ranged attacks are great for controlling crowds on narrow paths.
- Faith builds: incantations like Lightning Spear, Black Flame, or healing miracles help keep you alive in long runs.
Exploration Around the Lift: Small Secrets and Loot
Even though the Grand Lift of Rold is mainly a travel hub, the surrounding area hides a few useful details:
- Behind and around the statues, you can pick up Golden Runes, crafting materials, and the occasional consumable.
- Defeating the Black Blade Kindred near the entrance rewards you with powerful gargoyle weapons that scale with Faith and Strength.
- There are small ledges and paths near the Forbidden Lands that lead to extra items, including upgrade materials and talismans. If you see a suspicious gap or a broken railing, there’s often a way down.
It’s worth circling the area once after you first arrive. The enemies around the lift don’t respawn right on the platform, so you have a safe base to retreat to while exploring.
How the Grand Lift of Rold Fits Into the Story
Lore-wise, the Grand Lift of Rold is more than a machine. It’s a symbol of how the Golden Order tried to organize and control the Lands Between. It bridges the glowing capital and the bleak lands of the giants – the very peoples the Erdtree once tried to extinguish.
Riding the lift with the Rold Medallion reflects your role in advancing the will of the Erdtree: reaching the Giants’ Forge and dealing with the fire that can burn the Erdtree.
Riding it with the Haligtree Secret Medallion, on the other hand, sends you off the “official” path and into hidden, half-forgotten territories: the Consecrated Snowfield, the Haligtree, and Malenia. It’s like discovering another layer beneath the main story, one that was buried and locked away using the same structure.
FAQ: Grand Lift of Rold
Do I need the Grand Lift of Rold to finish Elden Ring?
Yes. To reach the Mountaintops of the Giants, fight the Fire Giant, and progress the main story, you must use the Grand Lift of Rold with the Rold Medallion. There’s no alternative main route for that part of the game.
Can I miss the Haligtree Secret Medallion?
You can easily overlook it, but it’s not permanently missable. You can always go back later to the Village of the Albinaurics and Castle Sol to collect both halves, even near the end of the game.
What happens if I use the wrong medallion?
Nothing bad. If you hoist the Rold Medallion, the lift takes you to the giants. If you hoist the Haligtree Secret Medallion, it takes you to the hidden path. You can use either route anytime as long as you stand on the platform and switch actions.
Is the Black Blade Kindred mandatory?
No. He guards the lift entrance but does not block progression. You can run past him, use the lift, and come back later when you’re stronger.
What level should I be before riding the lift?
There’s no official number, but many players feel comfortable at level 90+ with well-upgraded weapons. If enemies in the Forbidden Lands are deleting you in one hit, consider leveling a bit more first.
Final Thoughts on the Grand Lift of Rold
The Grand Lift of Rold is simple on the surface – step on the platform, hoist a medallion, ride to the next region. But it also marks a major turning point in Elden Ring’s story and difficulty curve. Once you ride it, the world grows colder, lonelier, and more dangerous.
Use it first with the Rold Medallion to progress the main story, then come back later with the Haligtree Secret Medallion to explore the hidden half of the north. Both routes are worth experiencing, and both show how FromSoftware hides huge chunks of content in plain sight.
If you’re standing on that platform for the first time, take a second to enjoy it. You’ve earned your way there. What waits beyond the lift – giants, snowfields, and gods – is some of the best late-game content Elden Ring has to offer.