This is a full walkthrough of Dodongo's Cavern in Ocarina of Time, including the location of the Gold Skulltulas in Dodongo's Cavern, and Boss King Dodongo tips and strategy.
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Table of Contents
Dodongo's Cavern Location
Destroy Boulder With Goron's Bracelet
- Head northeast to Kakariko Village
- How to Get to Death Mountain
- Follow the east side of the trail to Goron City
- Play Zelda's Lullaby for Darunia
- Light the Bomb Flower with a Deku Stick
- How to Get to the Sacred Forest Meadow
- Make your way to the deepest area
- Talk to Saria and learn Saria's Song
- Return to Goron City
- Play Saria's Song for Darunia
- Destroy the boulder west of the mountain trail
- Enter Dodongo's Cavern From the Entrance
Dodongo's Cavern is located west of Death Mountain Trail. The entrance is initially blocked by a large boulder, so you'll need to obtain the Goron's Bracelet and use a Bomb Flower to destroy it. You can get the bracelet by progressing through the story in Goron City and the Sacred Forest Meadow.
Head Northeast to Kakariko Village
From Hyrule Field, head northeast to Kakariko Village.
How to Get to Death Mountain
Once you arrive in Kakariko Village, head north to Death Mountain Trail. The entrance is blocked by a guard, but showing Zelda's Letter to the guard will open the way.
Buy the Hylian Shield in Castle Town
After speaking to the guard, you'll receive a discount on the Hylian Shield sold at the Market in Castle Town. Since many of the enemies inside Dodongo's Cavern can ignite and destroy the Deku Shield, we strongly recommend buying the Hylian Shield which does not burn.
Follow the East Side of the Trail to Goron City
After entering Death Mountain Trail, follow the eastern path to reach Goron City.
Play Zelda's Lullaby for Darunia
| Zelda's Lullaby |
|---|
 |
Once you arrive at Goron City, head to the lowest level and play Zelda's Lullaby outside Darunia's room.
Light the Bomb Flower with a Deku Stick
Use a Deku Stick on the torch inside Darunia's room to ignite the Bomb Flower on the second floor. Since Deku Sticks eventually burn out, we recommend relighting the torches along the way.
How to Get to the Sacred Forest Meadow
| Lost Woods Route |
|---|
| Left → Left → Straight → Left → Right |
Once the Bomb Flower explodes, the boulder blocking the path will be destroyed. Continue through the passage into the Lost Woods and head towards the Sacred Forest Meadow. There are multiple exits in each area, but following the map above for the fastest way to reach the meadow.
Taking the Wrong Path Leads to Kokiri Forest
If you take the wrong path in the Lost Woods, you'll end up back in Kokiri Forest. Simply retrace your steps to return to the Lost Woods and try again.
Make Your Way to the Deepest Area
Once you enter the Sacred Forest Meadow, continue heading towards the deepest area. Enemies along the narrow paths will shoot Deku Nuts at you, so use your shield to protect yourself as you progress.
Talk to Saria and Learn Saria's Song
Saria is found at the end of the Sacred Forest Meadow. Talking to Saria to teach Link Saria's Song. This Ocarina Song is required to progress with Darunia, and you can also use it to receive hints from Saria.
Return to Goron City
After learning the Saria's Song, retrace your steps and return to Goron City.
Play Saria's Song for Darunia
| Saria's Song |
|---|
 |
Back in Goron City, play Saria's Song for Darunia. Darunia will then grant Link the Goron's Bracelet, which allows you to pick up and throw Bomb Flowers.
Destroy the Boulder West of the Mountain Trail
After obtaining the bracelet, head to the middle section of Death Mountain Trail. Pick up the nearby Bomb Flower, face West, and throw it at the boulder below.
Enter Dodongo's Cavern from the Entrance
With the boulder destroyed, you can now enter Dodongo's Cavern through the newly opened entrance.
Dodongo's Cavern Walkthrough
| Table of Contents (Tap to Jump) | |
|---|---|
| 1 | ▼ Dodongo's Cavern (Up to Reaching 2F) |
| 2 | ▼ To Defeating King Dodongo |
| 3 | ▼ Where to Go After Dodongo Cavern |
Dodongo's Cavern (Up to Reaching 2F)
- Break the Wall with a Bomb Flower
- Dungeon Map Found on Western Center
- Destroy Southeastern Wall with a Bomb Flower
- Push the Statue onto the Switch
- Defeat the Lizalfos Ahead
- Light the Torches in the Next Room
- Use Switch and Enter the Door on the Far Right
- Get the Compass Past the Broken Wall
- Defeat enemy guarding chest with a Bomb Flower - Blow Up the Bomb Flowers in the Last Room
Break the Wall with a Bomb Flower
To access the cavern, break through the entrance using a Bomb Flower.
Dungeon Map Found on Western Center
Inside the cavern, head west and destroy the middle wall with a Bomb Flower. Lava flows along the ground, so avoid falling in to prevent taking damage.
Defeat Beamos with Bomb Flowers
The statue-like enemy "Beamos" deflects sword attacks, so use Bomb Flowers to defeat it. Its laser cannot be blocked with a shield, so run around and dodge its attacks instead.
Destroy Southeastern Wall with a Bomb Flower
After obtaining the Dungeon Map on the west side, cross to the east and use a Bomb Flower to destroy the nearby wall.
Push the Statue onto the Switch
Follow the path past the broken wall. Push the nearby statue onto the switch to open the blocked door ahead.
Defeat the Lizalfos Ahead
The room ahead contains two lizard-like enemies, "Lizalfos". Block their attacks with your shield and counter immediately. Defeating both opens the door ahead.
Light the Torches in the Next Room
Enter the next room and use a Deku Stick to light all three torches to open the door to the following room.
Use Switch and Enter the Door on the Far Right
Go through the door and step on the switch. The door on the far right side will open, allowing you to proceed.
Get the Compass Behind the Wall
Go through the door on the far side to reach a room filled with Bomb Flowers. Use a Bomb Flower to destroy the breakable wall. Open the chest in the room beyond to obtain the Compass.
Defeat Enemy Guarding Chest with a Bomb Flower
There's an Armos
, a statue-like enemy, guarding the chest. Since sword attacks don't work on this enemy, defeat the Armos with Bomb Flowers.
Blow Up the Bomb Flowers in the Last Room
Return to the previous room and place another Bomb Flower in the gap among the Bomb Flowers. After the explosion, a staircase will descend, and you'll be able to reach 2F.
To Defeating King Dodongo
- Push the Statue and Climb up
- Follow the Path Past the Bridge
- Use Ladder and Jump to the Platform
- Blow Up the Wall Above the Ladder
- Shoot the Eye to Extinguish the Flames
- Fight the Lizalfos in the Next Room
- Shoot the Eye Again to Proceed
- Obtain the Bomb Bag from the Chest Ahead
- Drop Bombs Into the Statue Eye Sockets
- Proceed Through the Eastern Corridor
- Head West and Push the Rock
- Blow Up the Darker Floor Tile
- Fight King Dodongo Beyond the Door
Push the Statue and Climb Up
Follow the path to a room with a central platform surrounded by three Armos. Push the statue in front of the ladder, then climb up. Press the switch at the top and go through the door that opens.
Follow the Path Past the Bridge
Proceed through the door to find a suspension bridge. There are gaps along the bridge, so be mindful not to fall as you proceed.
Use Ladder and Jump to the Platform
Climb the cube-shaped rock on the far side of the room. Afterward, turn around and climb the raised platform with the chest and Bomb Flower.
Blow Up the Wall Above the Ladder
Throw a Bomb Flower from the raised platform to destroy the wall above the ladder. Wait until the Bomb Flower flickers rapidly before throwing for proper timing.
Shoot the Eye to Extinguish the Flames
Proceed to the area blocked by flames. Shoot the diamond eye at the back with the Slingshot to extinguish the flames, then continue forward.
Fight the Lizalfos in the Next Room
The next room contains Lizalfos. Use your shield to block their attacks and counter when they leave an opening. Defeat both Lizalfos to open the door ahead.
Shoot the Eye Again to Proceed
Proceed to another area blocked by flames. Shoot the diamond-shaped eye to deactivate them as before, but watch for another eye on the left side.
Obtain the Bomb Bag from the Chest
Proceed to the open room and obtain the Bomb Bag from the chest on the raised platform to the right. You'll need it for upcoming puzzles, so register it to a shortcut slot for easy access.
Drop Bombs Into the Statue Eye Sockets
After obtaining the Bomb Bag, proceed ahead and drop Bombs through the gaps in the large suspended bridge. If done correctly, the giant Dodongo's eyes will light up. Light up both eyes to open its mouth and enter.
Proceed Through the Eastern Corridor
After jumping into its mouth, continue forward to the next room and head straight into the east corridor.
Head West and Push the Rock
Once in the next room, head down the west corridor. Follow the path to find a rock and push it forward. Push it into the hole in the center of the adjacent room to open the previously blocked door.
Blow Up the Darker Floor Tile
In the room past the door, open the chest to obtain a Bomb. Place it on the differently colored floor tile in the center to destroy it and reveal a hole. Drop through the hole to trigger the Boss battle below.
Face King Dodongo Beyond the Door
| Boss Guide Tips |
|---|
| ・When it opens its mouth to breathe, throw a Bomb inside - Stun it, then go in for an attack ・Guard against the rolling attack after it's stunned |
At the bottom, you'll face King Dodongo.
When it opens its mouth for a breath attack, throw a Bomb inside to stun it. Follow up with 1–2 hits, then back off and guard against its rolling attack.
Where to Go After Dodongo Cavern
- Climb the Mountain Trail to the Summit
- Use bombs to destroy rocks along the way
- Guard against volcanic rocks with the Hylian Shield - Blow Up the Wall at the Summit
- Stand on the Triforce and Play Zelda's Lullaby
- Have the Owl Carry You to Kakariko Village
Climb the Mountain Trail to the Summit
A cutscene plays after leaving Dodongo's Cavern. Once it ends, climb the mountain trail toward the summit.
Use Bombs to Destroy Rocks Along the Way
Use Bombs to destroy rocks blocking the path. As before, wait until the Bomb flickers rapidly before throwing it for proper timing.
Guard Against Volcanic Rocks with the Hylian Shield
Volcanic rocks will start to fall from above as you approach the summit. Whenever the screen starts to shake, guard with the Hylian Shield.
Blow Up the Wall at the Summit
Once you reach the summit, use a Bomb to destroy the wall on the left side.
Stand on the Triforce and Play Zelda's Lullaby
| Zelda's Lullaby |
|---|
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Enter the Great Fairy's Fountain and play Zelda's Lullaby while standing on the Triforce symbol. A cutscene will begin and you will learn the Spin Attack.
Have the Owl Carry You to Kakariko Village
After learning the Spin Attack, head outside and talk to the owl. It will carry you back down to Kakariko Village.
| ◀ Previous | Next ▶ |
|---|---|
| Hyrule Castle | Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly |
King Dodongo Boss Guide
Boss Movements
| Movement | Effect |
|---|---|
| Fire Breath Attack | Unleashes a breath of fire across the terrain (Cannot be blocked) |
| Rolling Attack | Rolls across the terrain |
How to Defeat and Tips
King Dodongo only has two attacks so it's not relatively difficult to deal with so long as you are familiar with them. Learning how to attack appropriately and when to guard during the fight is essential here.
Throw a Bomb Into Its Mouth
King Dodongo will open its mouth wide as it readies its breath attack. Before it could unleash this, throw a bomb into its maw to stun it. Stay within range to be able to successfully hit it with the bomb.
Attack 1-2 Times When It's Stunned
After being stunned, King Dodongo will immediately transition into a roll attack. Keep your attacks to only 1 to 2 at a time, then guard to successfully guard the Roll attack. It will cycle between these two moves for the rest of the fight.
Ocarina of Time Related Articles
Story Walkthrough - All Chapters
1. Opening
2. Great Deku Tree
3. Hyrule Castle
4. Dodongo's Cavern
5. Lord Jabu-Jabu
6. Forest Temple
7. Fire Temple
8. Ice Cavern
9. Water Temple
10. Bottom of the Well
11. Shadow Temple
12. Gerudo Fortress
13. Spirit Temple
14. Ganon's Castle
