Lake Hylia is a recurring location in The Legend of Zelda series.^{[1][citation needed]} It is the largest body of water in Hyrule and is commonly guarded by the Zora people.^[2] Lake Hylia is usually home to an underwater temple that is guarded by the Zoras.^[3][4] Lake Hylia goes unnamed in The Adventure of Link and BS The Legend of Zelda.

Features and Overview[]

The Legend of Zelda[]

Lake Hylia is located in the center of Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda. Level 1 can be found on a island in the northeastern part of the Lake.^[5] Level 4 can be found on another island in the southwestern area, which can only be accessed with the Raft. In the Second Quest, Level 5 can be found in the southwestern island instead.

Minor Enemies[]

• 

  Zora

A Link to the Past[]

In A Link to the Past, Lake Hylia is located in southeast Hyrule and has a network of small caves coming off it. The lake itself is fed from Zora's River, which in turn flows from Death Mountain.

In both its Light and Dark World incarnations, the lake is filled with Zora who will attack Link upon sight. In the center of the lake is an island featuring the Pond of Happiness that is inhabited by Venus, the Queen of Fairies, who will upgrade Link's ability to carry Bombs or arrows in exchange for Rupees. Outside the pond is a warp tile that grants access to the Ice Palace located in the Dark World's Ice Lake, which has several ice platforms across the lake.

In addition, the Ice Rod item is found in the Ice Cave on the northeastern side of the lake, as well as the Golden Bee, a Bottled insect that can be unleashed to attack foes.

Ocarina of Time[]

In Ocarina of Time, Lake Hylia is located in the southern region of Hyrule and is home to the sunken Water Temple, which is used by the Zoras to worship the water spirits.^[6] The lake is made up of various islands, with the largest one bearing a lone tree as well as the pedestal that serves as the warp point for the "Serenade of Water." It is connected to Hyrule Field and has an underwater tunnel that serves as a shortcut to Zora's Domain, although it is blocked by ice once Link turns into an adult. All of the lake's water comes from Zora's Fountain, passing through Zora's River, then Gerudo Valley, and eventually reaching Lake Hylia.^[7] As such, it is possible to reach the lake by floating down the river from Gerudo Valley. Also on the shore of Lake Hylia are two Scarecrows named Pierre and Bonooru, the latter of which helps Link obtain the Scarecrow's Song. Other notable features of Lake Hylia include the Lakeside Laboratory, where various experiments are conducted to discover the lake's mysteries, and the Fishing Pond, where Link can fish for an unlimited time for just 20 Rupees.^[8][9]

Link first visits the lake as a child while looking for Princess Ruto, where he finds Ruto's Letter encased in a bottle at the bottom of the lake. Later, after the young hero turns into an adult by pulling the Master Sword from its pedestal, Link returns to find the lake almost drained of its rich waters. He discovers that the lake has been drained as a result of Morpha's curse. With the help of Princess Ruto, Link sinks to the bottom of Lake Hylia using the Iron Boots and the Zora Tunic to reach the Water Temple and defeat Morpha.^[10] Once Ruto awakens as the Sage of Water, the lake is filled with water again, returning it to its normal state.^[11] Furthermore, Link can stand on a stone tablet above the Water Temple's entrance and shoot an arrow at the sun as it rises to have the Fire Arrows appear on the small, lone island.^[12]

Minor Enemies[]

• 

  Blue Tektite

• 

  Guay

Four Swords Adventures[]

In Four Swords Adventures, Lake Hylia is the first stage of Whereabouts of the Wind, the first level of the game. The Links land in this area after they are flung away from Hyrule Castle by Vaati's tornado, and are awakened by the voice of Kaepora Gaebora, who tells them that they must rescue Princess Zelda and the six Maidens. Lake Hylia differs from previous games as instead of a singular, large lake, it consists of a series of small lakes and rivers, as well as giant waterfalls and cave tunnels. It is here that the young heroes also meet Tingle for the first time, who is trapped under a stone beneath the lakeside's wooden bridge. The lake leads to a cave entrance, where four dark barriers must be broken with the Four Sword in order to yield passage to the Cave of No Return.

The Minish Cap[]

Lake Hylia is an area in The Minish Cap, located in eastern Hyrule. It connects to two other areas: Lon Lon Ranch to the west and Minish Woods to the south.

The water enters the Lake by a river from Veil Falls to the north. To the south is the Minish Woods and to the west is Lon Lon Ranch. Stockwell, the shop-owner from Hyrule Town, owns a house here where his dog Fifi lives alone. Moreover, Waveblade, one of the Blade Brothers, houses a tree, ready to teach Link sword techniques. David Jr. is also found here.

One of Lake Hylia's most notable features is the Temple of Droplets, a frozen Minish-sized temple which serves as the fourth Dungeon of the game. After Link completes the Fortress of Winds and receives the Ocarina of Wind, he warps to the Wind Crest located in Lake Hylia and speaks to the nearby Forest Picori, who compliments Link for finding him. Upon hearing that Link is seeking to enter the Temple of Droplets, the Minish tells him that only one Minish, Librari, was able to find a way into it and directs him to the Royal Hyrule Library in Hyrule Town where Librari lives in semi-retirement.^[13][14] After speaking to the Minish at Lake Hylia, the Royal Hyrule Library opens to the public, allowing Link to enter and speak with Librari. The Minish located at Lake Hylia is also a possible target for Kinstone Fusion. If Link successfully fuses Kinstone Pieces with him, the vines covering a tree in the Western Wood will clear, allowing Link to enter the tree and obtain the Piece of Heart inside.^[15]

Minor Enemies and Traps[]

• 

  Blue Octoroks

• 

  Floor Spikes

• 

  Green Chuchus

• 

  Like Likes

• 

  Moldorms

• 

  Peahats

• 

  Red Octoroks

• 

  Red Pestos

• 

  Sluggula

• 

  Spear Moblins

• 

  Spiketraps

Twilight Princess[]

In Twilight Princess, Lake Hylia is located on the west side of Hyrule and is part of the Lanayru Province. The lake is home to Lanayru's Spirit Spring, Fyer's Cannon Rides, and Falbi's Flight-by-Fowl. The Lakebed Temple rests at the bottom of the lake, where Zoras patrol the entrance to the temple due to it being a sacred place for their people.^[16][17] Lake Hylia is again fed by Zora's River, which travels all the way from the throne room of Zora's Domain. The only ways to access Lake Hylia are by playing Falbi's Flight-by-Fowl game, playing Iza's Rapids Ride game, jumping down from outside the South Gate of Castle Town, or Warping there. Despite this, many of Hyrule's citizens come to Lake Hylia to send prayers to Lanayru.^[18]

When Link first visits Lake Hylia, it is covered in Twilight and has been mostly drained due to Zora's Domain being frozen, which stopped the water from flowing into the lake.^[19][20] After Link and Midna thaw Zora's Domain with the Molten Shard from Death Mountain, the water flow returns and fills up the lake, allowing the young hero to visit Lanayru at his Spring and obtain the Vessel of Light to collect the Tears of Light of the Lanayru Province. Collecting 15 Tears of Light will make the last Shadow Insect appear in the middle of the lake, which is actually an oversized monster known as Twilit Bloat. Twilit Bloat's defeat allows Link to collect the last Tear of Light, abolishing the Twilight and returning light to the province.

Later on in the game, Link must visit the lake once again to meet with Auru at the tower situated on the west side of the area. Auru hands Link a memo to give to Fyer so that the young hero will be able to reach Gerudo Desert and thus reach the Mirror Chamber.^[21] When Link must visit the City in the Sky in search of a Mirror Shard, he must bring Fyer the broken Sky Cannon that is found beneath the Sanctuary in Kakariko Village. For a fee of 300 Rupees, Fyer will repair the Sky Cannon, allowing Link to visit the dungeon at any time from the Sky Cannon's new position at Lake Hylia.

Lake Hylia is also home to three Pieces of Heart as well as a mini-game hosted by Plumm known as Fruit-Pop-Flight.

A Link Between Worlds[]

Lake Hylia appears in A Link Between Worlds, located southeast of Hyrule Castle. It features the House of Gales, the second dungeon in the game, on an island at its center, located where the Pond of Happiness was in A Link to the Past. Link cannot reach the dungeon until he has obtained the Flippers from Queen Oren of the Zoras, which she gives to him as thanks for returning her stolen Smooth Gem, and cannot enter it without renting the Tornado Rod from Ravio.

Lake Hylia's counterpart in Lorule is dubbed Lorule Lake, with a fiery maze at its center known as Turtle Rock serving as analogous to the House of Gales in Hyrule. Gaining access to the dungeon requires Link to come to the aid of three turtles that are trapped in various predicaments across the lake; doing so prompts their mother to thank him by allowing him a ride atop her back, which Link can use to reach the dungeon's entrance.

Lake Hylia also features a hidden cave that houses Mother Maiamai, a character who will upgrade any one item that Link has purchased from Ravio for every ten Lost Maiamais that the hero finds and returns to her.

Breath of the Wild[]

Lake Hylia is located in the Central Hyrule Region in Breath of the Wild. It is a large body of Water fed by the Hylia River from the north. The Bridge of Hylia spans across the northern and southern sides of the Lake. Hylia Island rests in the western side of the Lake. In the southwestern part of the Lake, three wooden Treasure Chests containing a Fishing Harpoon, a bundle of 10 Arrows, and a bundle of five Shock Arrows, respectively, can be found floating in the waters. Three metallic Treasure Chests containing an Amber, an Opal, and a bundle of five Ice Arrows, respectively, can be found underwater in the northwestern part of the Lake. Two metallic Treasure Chests containing a bundle of five Shock Arrows, and a Purple Rupee, respectively, can be found in the northwestern part of the Lake near a docked Raft. In the northeastern part of the Lake near a waterfall, two metallic Treasure Chests can be found containing a bundle of five Ice Arrows, and a Purple Rupee, respectively. In the eastern part of the Lake, a metallic Treasure Chest can be found containing a bundle of five Shock Arrows. North of the small cluster of islands located in the eastern part of the Lake are two more metallic Treasure Chests containing a bundle of five Shock Arrows and a Purple Rupee, respectively. Another wooden Treasure Chest containing a Knight's Claymore can be found in the far southeastern corner of the Lake. West of it is a cluster of three wooden Treasure Chests containing a bundle of five Shock Arrows, a Silver Shield, and an Opal, respectively. Still west of that cluster is another cluster of three wooden Treasure Chests containing a bundle of five Shock Arrows, a Giant Boomerang, and a Purple Rupee. Near the southeastern part of the Bridge of Hylia is another docked Raft.

A sunken metallic cube can be found near the cluster of wooden Treasure Chests in the southwestern part of the Lake. Link can put it in its corresponding spot on the mural using the Magnesis Rune to find a Korok,^[22] who will give Link a Korok Seed. A second Korok can be found under a Rock on the western shore, who will give Link a Korok Seed. A third Korok can be found after Link steps on a Tree stump located on the northwestern shore and reaches the marker in the allowed time, who will give Link a Korok Seed. Link can find a fourth Korok, who will give him a Korok Seed, near the cluster of islands in the eastern part of the Lake by using the Magnesis Rune to complete the metallic cubes pattern. A fifth Korok can be found, who will give Link a Korok Seed, by walking near the Pinwheel and busting out the three balloons that will appear. A sixth Korok can be found by destroying an Acorn-shaped Jar placed in a Tree, who will give Link a Korok Seed, in the far southeastern corner of the Lake. A seventh Korok can be found, who will give Link a Korok Seed, by lifting a Rock on the southeastern shore of the Lake.

Creatures[]

• 

  Bright-Chested Duck

• 

  Hearty Bass

• 

  Hyrule Bass

• 

  Staminoka Bass

• 

  Warm Darner

Minor Enemies[]

• 

  Stalizalfos

• 

  Stalkoblin

• 

  Stalmoblin

• 

  Water Octorok

Other Appearances[]

BS The Legend of Zelda[]

Hyrule Warriors[]

Cadence of Hyrule[]

Trivia[]

• In the European version of Ocarina of Time, the Map Subscreen refers to Lake Hylia as Hylia Lakeside. In the European version of Ocarina of Time 3D, this was changed.
• In The Wind Waker, Lake Hylia exists as Greatfish Isle.^[23]

Nomenclature[]

Lake Hylia is named after the goddess The Goddess Hylia.^[24]

Names in other regions
Language		Name	Meaning
	Japanese	湖 (Mizuumi) (TLoZ)[25] HYREA LAKE (ALttP)[26] ハイリア湖 (Hairia-ko) (ALttP)[27] ハイリア湖畔 (Hairia Kohan) (OoT)[28] ハイラル城 (Hairia-ko) (ALBW)[29] ハイリア湖 (Hairia Ko) (BotW)	Lake Same as English. Hylia Shore Lake Hylia
	FrenchCA	Lac Hylia (ALBW)[30] Rive du lac Hylia (HWDE)[31]	Shore of lake Hylia
	FrenchEU	Lac Hylia (ALBW)[32] Bord du lac Hylia (HWDE)[33]	Lakeside Hylia
	German	Hylia-See (ALBW | HWDE)[34]
	Italian	Lago Hylia (ALBW | HWDE)[35]
	Korean	하일리아호 (Haillia-ho) (ALBW)[36] 하일리아호 (Hailliaho) (BotW)	Lake Hylia
	SpanishEU	Lago Hylia (ALBW)[37] Lago de Hylia (HWDE)	Hylia Lake
	SpanishLA	Lago Hylia (ALBW | BotW | HWDE)[38][39]
This table was generated using translation pages. To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

Gallery[]

• 

  Lake Hylia from Ocarina of Time

• 

  Lake Hylia dried up from Ocarina of Time

• 

  Sheik in front of Lake Hylia in Ocarina of Time

• 

  Lake Hylia in Ocarina of Time 3D

• 

  Lake Hylia from Ocarina of Time 3D

• 

  Lake Hylia map from Four Swords Adventures

• 

  Lake Hylia map from The Minish Cap

• 

  Lake Hylia from Hyrule Warriors

References

Locations in A Link to the Past
Locations in the Light World	Locations in the Dark World
Click on a location	Click on a location

Regions in Ocarina of Time
Click on a location

Locations in The Minish Cap
Click on a location

Hyrule in Twilight Princess
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