Beyond the Main Quest: 10 Incredible Detours in Tears of the Kingdom

It’s 2026, and somehow, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom still hasn’t let go of its grip on the gaming world. Sure, the main story is a tear-jerking rollercoaster, but let’s be honest—the real magic happens when you toss the map aside and follow a random squirrel up a mountain. Link’s latest Hyrule is a masterclass in rewarding curiosity, and even three years after launch, players are still uncovering secrets that make them gasp. The sheer volume of side quests (over 100!), side adventures (60+), and unmarked diversions practically guarantees that no two adventures are the same. For those who dream of a completionist badge, here’s a lovingly crafted hit list of the best things to do in TotK that have absolutely nothing to do with saving Zelda.

🔥 Conquering the Three-Way Labyrinths

Remember the labyrinths in Breath of the Wild? Cute. The ones in Tears of the Kingdom took that idea and launched it into the stratosphere—literally. Each of the three classic mazes now exists across three dimensions: the surface, the sky, and the Depths. You’re not just running away from a few Guardians; you’re navigating a multi-layered puzzle box crawling with Gloom-infested enemies. Finding your way to the sky labyrinth is already a thrilling engineering challenge (hello, hot-air balloons and rocket shields). Then you plunge into a dark, oppressive gauntlet in the Depths that tests every ounce of your combat skill. Completing a single labyrinth can eat up an entire evening, and the reward—the powerful Evil Spirit armor—is absolutely worth the headache.

👹 Master Kohga’s Underground Revenge Tour

He’s back, and this time he’s really mad you kicked him down that hole. Master Kohga’s side adventure is one of the funniest and most inventive questlines in the entire game. He pops up again and again in the Depths, each time piloting a more ridiculous Zonai vehicle than the last. The boss battles against him force you to be creative—you can’t just brute-force a boomerang-wielding goofball driving a spiked battle wagon. Well, you can, but it’s way more fun to use Recall on his projectiles or spam a beam emitter at his face. Chasing Kohga across the entire underground map slowly reveals the Depths’ gloomy geography, and his over-the-top dialogue makes him feel like a washed-up rock star who just won’t quit. It’s a masterpiece of comic relief.

🔋 Supercharging Your Energy Cell at Forge Constructs

Listen, building a death machine is only fun if it runs for more than three seconds before your battery dies. That’s why tracking down every single Forge Construct in the Depths is a sanity-saving quest. These ancient Zonai vendors sell Crystalized Charges, and once you harvest 100 of those, you can forge a new energy cell segment. The Depths are terrifying at first, but the search for Forge Constructs naturally turns you into a subterranean explorer. You’ll light up Lightroots, discover abandoned mines, and start to feel like the Depths are a cozy second home. Plus, having an eight-battery energy cell means you can airbike from Lookout Landing to Gerudo Desert without touching the ground. Absolute freedom.

📸 Filling the Hyrule Compendium (All 500+ Entries)

At first glance, snapping a picture of everything that moves (and doesn’t) sounds like the busiest work imaginable. But filling the Hyrule Compendium is secretly a deep meditation on the game’s art design. There are over 500 entries: monsters, weapons, plants, materials, and little critters like the Chillshroom. The real trick? You can’t just spam the camera; you need a clear shot. That means chasing down a shimmering Sunset Firefly at dusk or creeping up on a sleeping Blue-Maned Lynel without waking it. The reward is a gorgeous, rare Paraglider fabric from Robbie, sure, but the true prize is the Sensor+. Set it to track anything—diamonds, Gibdo guts, you name it—and Hyrule becomes your personal supermarket.

🎨 A Picture for Every Stable

This is one of those quests that hides in plain sight. Walk into any stable and you’ll see empty frames on the walls with little Stable Association markers. Chat with the owner, and they’ll sheepishly mention they’d love a painting of a local landmark but have no reference. Cue Link, the unofficial travel photographer. Each of the fifteen stables wants a specific shot—a distant view of Death Mountain from Foothill Stable, a serene lake reflection for Lakeside Stable, you get the idea. It’s a wonderful excuse to revisit regions you thought you knew. Often the best photo requires climbing a nearby cliff or waiting for perfect weather. By the time you’re done, every stable turns into a cozy art gallery, and you’ll have a deep appreciation for Hyrule’s varied landscapes.

🎻 Serenading the Great Fairies with the Stable Trotters

Link stumbles upon a violin player stuck in a hole. Then a drummer missing his drumsticks near a monster den. Coincidence? Not in Hyrule. The Maestro at Woodland Stable dreams of reviving the Stable Trotters, but the Great Fairies have sealed themselves away in their buds and only a perfect violin tune will coax them out. Thus begins a cross-country band-rescue mission. Each Great Fairy fountain is guarded by a mini-narrative where you repair the troupe’s wagon, reunite the musicians, and then watch a charming cutscene as the fairy emerges. It’s heartwarming, and more importantly, it’s the only way to upgrade your armor beyond a few levels. Without fully awakened fairies, that glossy Zonaite set stays flimsy.

☠️ Infiltrating the Yiga Clan Hideout (Again)

Oh, the Yiga. They’re everywhere—posing as travelers, hiding in banana-filled caves, and now they’ve got a whole new hideout in the Gerudo Highlands. To pull off a proper infiltration, Link needs to collect the three pieces of the Yiga Armor set, scattered across Hyrule: one piece in the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, another near Kiuyoyou Shrine, and the last at the Old Man’s House on the Great Plateau. Dressing up as one of them is hilarious; the guards nod at you while you steal their entire banana supply. Once inside, the quest reveals a quirky mini-story about the Yiga’s fascination with Zonai tech, and earning their trust unlocks a special fighting dojo in the Depths. It’s peak optional-content design.

🛡️ Joining the Monster-Control Crew

Lookout Landing isn’t the only group pushing back the monster tide. Three squads—led by Hoz, Toren, and Flaxel—are scattered across Hyrule, trying to clear out tough monster camps. Assisting them turns into a series of large-scale skirmishes that feel like small battles. You’ll fight in the sunny fields of Hyrule, the lava-slicked slopes of Death Mountain, and even on a pirate ship docked in Faron. The squadmates actually hold their own, and the silver rupee payment after each victory is generous. Even better? After a Blood Moon, you can go back and do it all over again. Infinite brawls for infinite fun.

🌊 Restoring Lurelin Village and Starting a Water Rally

When Link first reaches Lurelin, the seaside paradise is a smoldering ruin occupied by a gang of monster pirates. Speaking to Rozel kicks off the massive restoration effort. Clearing out the pirates is just step one—then you have to help Bolson and the construction crew rebuild every single hut using materials you gather. It’s a long, heartfelt process, and watching the village slowly return to life is deeply satisfying. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Once rebuilt, you can introduce the concept of competitive racing to the locals, ultimately creating the Lurelin Water Rally. Using Zonai parts, you can craft custom speedboats and race across the bay. It’s an entire mini-game system hidden behind a side quest, and it’s glorious.

🗿 Building Kilton’s Monster Statue Gallery

Kilton, the creepy monster-loving merchant, has a dream: to educate Hyrule about the beauty of monsters. He teams up with Hudson in Tarrey Town, and all they need is reference photos from Link’s camera. The first request is simple—snap a picture of a Bokoblin. But soon, Kilton demands a picture of a Horriblin, a Lynel, and even a Gleeok. Each photo turns into a life-sized (and adorably ugly) statue that you can pose on a display stage. You can even add statues of any monster later, arranging them like a chaotic diorama. Kilton’s earnest monster lectures are a riot, and the quest is a brilliant way to encourage players to engage with photography in dangerous situations. Plus, free diamonds!

Whether you’re a day-one player or just jumping in because of the 2026 Anniversary buzz, these detours breathe endless life into Hyrule. No rush—just let that curiosity carry you wherever the wind takes Link. Chances are, you’ll stumble into something unforgettable.