Though adventure RPG games with much larger maps have surfaced in recent years, Skyrim continues to be a sprawling game with a lot to see and do, especially with a few mods thrown in to expand the game's content. On its own, however, Skyrim is loaded with hidden nooks, crannies, and secrets just waiting to be explored, but many gamers still haven't stumbled upon everything in the game.

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Thankfully, there are always reasons to replay Skyrim in the modern age, especially with the announcement of the upcoming Anniversary Edition. For those gamers ready to step into the frozen tundras of Skyrim once more, they should seek out all of those hard-to-find spots, simply for the sake of being a completionist.

Updated on Nov 11th, 2021 by Derek Draven: Skyrim is gearing up for another re-release, and that's a great opportunity for gamers to venture back in. The base game is loaded with a ton of locations and secrets to uncover, and it's time to take a look at a larger and more expanded collection of the best. These locations offer fun easter eggs, interesting quests, and even some powerful abilities to unlock. For many gamers, finding the secretive nooks in the game is a matter of bragging rights, and a sense of accomplishment. Regardless, most Skyrim gamers who think they've seen it all might actually be mistaken.

The Frozen Mammoth

A mammoth frozen in a glacier in Skyrim

This little easter egg can be found north of Alftand, and to the west of Saarthal in Skyrim's upper snowy regions. There, players can find a giant mammoth frozen inside of a glacier. Upon closer inspection, the mammoth appears to have been pierced with multiple Dwarven spears and arrows.

Players can climb the side of the glacier and jump on the mammoth's back in order to gain access to a two-handed weapon, which is stuck there in the frozen flesh. It's an interesting find that many players still waltz right by, without noticing.

Castle Karstaag Ruins

The entrance to the Castle Karstaag Ruins in Skyrim

Ironically, many players still miss out on the Castle Karstaag Ruins, which is a shame given what's there. The ruins can be found in the northwestern portion of Solstheim, where Rieklings wait inside to attack the player.

The ruins are the site of the "Summoning Karstaag" quest, where players must do battle with the ancient frost giant. It's one of the hardest fights in the entire game, and the reward is the ability to summon him in battle a total of three times over the course of the game.

The Red Wave

A shot of the Red Wave ship in Skyrim

The Red Wave is a ship that sits docked in Solitude's harbor, right in front of the East Empire Company's supply warehouse. The ship is home to three separate quests - "The Dainty Sload," "Contract: Kill Safia," and "Hired Muscle." It's surrounded by guards who will not attack the player, but warn them to stay away.

Getting access to the interior of the Red Wave allows players to find Sabine's Footlocker, which contains a beverage called Balmora Blue. It's an illegal drug from Morrowind that cripples the player's stamina regen by 30% for a total of 30 seconds. It's more of a collector's item, as opposed to something useful.

Hamvir's Rest

A wide shot of Hamvir's rest in Skyrim were players can spot the Headless Horseman.

This old Nordic ruin can be found in a mountain range between Whiterun and Hjaalmarch, just northwest of Dustman's Cairn. It's the site of a rare encounter with the elusive Headless Horseman, a spectral figure on a horse who tends to spawn randomly between the hours of 10PM and 4AM.

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In addition, Hamvir's Rest is a great spot to grab Nightshade, which is in plentiful supply there. Other items include a Master level chest and a lot of random loot strewn about, which is a decent reason to explore.

The Poultry Reanimator

The Poultry Reanimator in Skyrim

Venturing south of Geirmund's Hall in The Rift leads to a rocky hill where a necromancer is practicing magic. Oddly enough, he's trying to resurrect dead chickens, which doesn't say much for his magical prowess. He can be found at a skeletal altar surrounded by deceased poultry, which is both comical, and macabre at the same time.

Players can sneak up on him if they wish to observe his shenanigans, or else they can kill him and investigate the surrounding area. A basket in front of the altar usually contains several ingredients, and sometimes even a soul gem. He also has a Conjuration skill book on his person, which is reason to loot his corpse.

Yisra's Beachside Combustion

Yisra's charred remains in Skyrim

This depressing story can be found in northern Skyrim, on the shoreline south of Yngvild. The charred ground and bodily remains hint at a dragon attack, but further investigation suggests something much more odd. Beside the body lies a flame cloak spell tome, suggesting the spell may have backfired, resulting in an explosion. The body itself contains an item named Yisra's Necklace.

Speaking to Phinis Gestor at the College of Winterhold will reveal that Yisra, a mage student looking to practice fire spells, has gone missing. This is all left over from a quest that was cut from the game, in which the player would have had to find missing College Apprentices and report back to Gestor. The dialogue and crime scene remain in the game, making for a tragic set of events more akin to a horror story, than a fantasy adventure.

Kagrenzel

A wide shot of Kagrenzel in Skyrim

Kagrenzel is way off the beaten path, and resembles other Dwemer Ruins scattered throughout Skyrim, but this one is unique. East of Ansilvund lies a steep path through a canyon. Inside is a large room with a floating light. Players who activate it will be trapped in a cage that rises from the ground. Sirens will ring out, and after a few seconds the booby-trapped floor will activate, plunging the player into a deep cave system.

At the bottom is an underground pool and a pathway leading back up to the surface. It's a lengthy trek, with Falmer standing in the way. There is no large quest to be had, but the atmosphere of the area is quite different from other cave systems, giving it a unique feel.

Skywalker's Demise

An ice troll in a hidden in Skyrim

This Easter egg is well-known, but easy to miss. Located in Bleakcoast Cave just southeast of Winterhold is a dead adventurer whose skeleton is hanging from the icy ceiling, with a glowing sword lying below. This is a direct reference to Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back where Luke Skywalker is attacked by a Wampa and brought back to its cave on Hoth.

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Luke's legs are partially frozen into the cave ceiling, so he uses the force to grab his lightsaber from the snow. While Skywalker did manage to cut himself down and escape, this fellow wasn't nearly so lucky.

The Iceberg Explorer

Skeletal remains on a mountaintop in Skyrim

In the ice caps north of the Tower Stone is a unique Easter egg. On top of an iceberg lies a skeleton, a treasure chest, and a tattered flag. The skeleton's hand is still clutching the flag pole. The book beside it is a Heavy Armor skill book titled "The Knights of The Nine", which tells the story of a group of treasure hunters. It summarizes the Knights' quest to recover the relics of Pelinal Whitesnake, a legendary warrior and king.

The location of the book suggests that the skeleton might be Sir Amiel Lannus, the founder of the Knights, and the only member whose relics and fate remain lost to history. The body could also be an explorer who was following in the Knights' footsteps, but the former explanation is much better. This unmarked spot is an interesting find, especially for those heavy into Elder Scrolls lore.

Arcwind Point

A wide shot of Arcwind Point in Skyrim

Nestled in the western mountains of the Rift is Arcwind Point, an outdoor Nordic tomb sprinkled with high-level enemies including undead Draugrs, a Dragon Priest, and a Dragon. For players at level 78 or higher, it will always be the rare Legendary Dragon, which makes for an incredibly tough fight.

Once the enemies are dealt with, players can find a treasure chest, a word wall for the Drain Vitality dragon shout, and a skill book for Restoration. Plentiful loot and gold can be found on the enemies as well. First-time Skyrim gamers should ease into the game, rather than making a beeline for this particular spot.

Bard's Leap Summit

Wide shot of Bard's Leap Summit in Skyrim

Bard's Leap Summit isn't technically hidden, but it does contain a secret that players often miss. Walking towards the perch at the end of the bridge brings players over a waterfall, at which point they can jump off. At the bottom, a conversation will trigger where players will be greeted by a ghost, providing they survive the fall.

The ghost is a bard named Azzadal, who recounts the events of his own demise, having attempted the same jump, and failed. As a reward for the leap of faith and listening skills, Azzadal's conversation will boost a player's Speech skill by one level. It's a nice reward for taking the risk, not to mention a rare rush.

The Chill

Atronachs guard the Chill in Skyrim

This unmarked location is so far north of the College of Winterhold that it borders the edge of the game's map. Players likely never stumble upon it, unless they happen to get arrested in that area. The Chill is Winterhold's prison, and it's unlike any other in the game. No cells, no military guards, no concrete walls; just a jagged ice cave with rusty cages inside.

There's little in the way of loot, which is disappointing for such a hidden area. Those with a taste for exploration will find it's worth the journey, especially since they'll likely never find it any other way. Players should beware of the Frost Atronachs surrounding the area, however.

Lady Of The Lake

A skeletal hand holding a sword in Skyrim

A mysterious skeleton holding a sword is buried in a lake directly west of Whiterun. The location isn't marked on the map, so it does require some searching. This is a reference to the lady in the lake from the legend of King Arthur, who reaches out of the water and hands him the famed sword Excalibur.

Unfortunately, this sword isn't so special. The weapon that spawns is a leveled sword, so its stats are based on whatever the player's level is at the time of retrieval. It likely won't replace whatever trusty weapon players rely on, but it's a curious piece of loot. Nevertheless, it's a clever nod, and a different take on the King Arthur legend told through various TV shows and movies.

The Reaper's Lair

A shot of the Reaper's Lair in Skyrim, a stout, stone building with a large door.

This secret boss can only be discovered in Skyrim's first downloadable expansion, The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard. The Reaper's Lair can be found in the Soul Cairn, an area that becomes accessible during the "Chasing Echoes" quest. The Soul Cairn is huge, and takes time to fully explore, so the Reaper can be an easy miss.

Players should look for three Reaper Gem Fragments scattered throughout the area. Once acquired, they'll need to head east after passing the large stone wall, eventually arriving at the Reapers Lair. Placing the fragments in a receptacle spawns the Reaper, a ghostly boss enemy dressed like an executioner with bright red eyes.

Abandoned Rowboat Of Riches

An abandoned rowboat in Skyrim

Gamers can head to Kolskeggr Mine outside Markarth, and follow the river south to an abandoned boat loaded with valuable loot. The deck of the boat is loaded with flawless gems. Also onboard is an apothecary's satchel full of alchemy ingredients, and a strong box with even more loot. To top it off, a treasure chest is sunken in the river below.

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It's not a jaw-dropping vista or lore-driven secret, but rather hidden cache of loot for adventurers looking to make a quick buck. Plus, it's worth checking out, just for the sake of exploration.

Azura's Star

The inside of Azura's Star in Skyrim

During "The Black Star" questline, players will earn a quick visit to this unique location. At the end of the quest, the Dragonborn is transported into Azura's Star to fight Malyn Varen, whose soul is trapped inside. The environment resembles an ethereal, crystalline dimension that looks like it was lifted right out of the original 1978 hang-on classic Superman.

The area doesn't feature any important items, but rather, some powerful Dremora enemies and the boss, Malyn. However, there is no other location like this in the game, and is an absolute must for any Skyrim sightseers. It's definitely one of the most unique places to visit.

A Shakespearean Tragedy

Two dead lovers in Skyrim

Just north of Old Hroldan Inn is a tragedy hidden in an unmarked location. A small abandoned camp can be found just off the road where three bodies lie at the site - a man, a woman, and a wild animal. Reading through a nearby journal reveals that the two were Talvur and Karan, lovers who have seemingly been killed by the beast.

Karan, who came from a wealthy Markarth family, wanted to run away with Talvur, a miner who came from poverty. Karan's father did not approve of her relationship with someone of lower social class, so she decided to run off with Talvur. If the player leaves the campsite and returns days later, the bodies will have disappeared, and replaced with a Shrine of Mara, the goddess of love.

The Silvermoon Shipwreck

An underwater shipwreck in Skyrim

South of the Lady Stone lies a shipwreck in Lake Ilinalta - the Silvermoon. The wreck isn't marked on the map, but can be seen in person, as part of the mast stands above the water's surface. The Silvermoon was apparently an old trading ship, and according to the citizens of Riverwood, has been sitting in Lake Ilinalta for as long as anyone can remember.

Underwater exploration is rarely necessary in Skyrim, but this is one of the few instances where it pays off. Plenty of fish and ingredients surround the shipwreck, and a treasure chest can be found inside as well. An axe can also be found in the Captain's cabin, along with the Captain himself.

A Red Wedding Indeed

Vittoria and Asgeir in Skyrim

The Dark Brotherhood quest "Bound Until Death" has the player crash the wedding of Vittoria Vici, an imperial noble marked for assassination. The task can be carried out in any way the player desires - either quickly and quietly, or violently in front of all the guests. It can even be made to look like an accident. However, the Brotherhood provides a method that some players may not have considered.

Two balconies can be found behind the seating area. In the northwest corner of the courtyard is a door that leads to one of them, where Brotherhood member Gabriella has left an enchanted bow, Firiniel's End, and a potion of True Shot for a marksmanship skill boost. Because the quest can easily be completed in a number of ways, it's easy to miss this.

A Spartan's Death

A dead sabrecat in Skyrim

An Easter egg can be found in the mountains west of Karthwasten. In a narrow canyon, a Sabre Cat lies dead with a weapon lodged in it. A skeleton can also be found in front of the animal, only a few feet away. This is a direct reference to the film 300, specifically the sequence where young Leonidas fights off a wolf.

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Armed with only a spear, he kills a hostile wolf by trapping him in a space between two rocks. Unfortunately, this adventurer wasn't so lucky. Ironically enough, the skeleton has fallen downhill, and looks like he hit his head on the way down.