You're standing at the base of a cliff in Tears of the Kingdom. You see that telltale bluish glow of a Blupee darting away. Naturally, you chase it. It leads you to a crack in the rock, and suddenly, you've found a new cave. But here's the kicker: there are 147 of these things scattered across Hyrule. Honestly, trying to track them all down without a solid map of caves totk is basically a recipe for a headache.
Hyrule is massive. It’s not just the surface anymore; the verticality adds layers of complexity that make the previous game look like a flat piece of paper. Caves aren't just holes in the wall. They’re home to Bubbul Frogs, rare ores, and some of the best armor sets in the game. If you aren't using a map, you're missing out on the Mystic Clothing or that final piece of the Climbing Gear.
Most people think they can just wing it. "I'll find them as I go," they say. Then they end up at 146 Bubbul Gems and have no clue where that last one is hiding. It's usually tucked away in some obscure corner of the Hebra Mountains or hidden behind a breakable wall in a well you walked past fifty times.
Why the Map of Caves TOTK is Different From Your Usual Search
The mapping system in Tears of the Kingdom is a bit of a trickster. When you enter a cave, the name pops up. A checkmark appears on your in-game map once you’ve collected the Bubbul Gem from the frog inside. But the game doesn't show you where the caves are until you’ve already stood in front of them. This is where external resources become your best friend.
You’ve got a few options for tracking these down. Some players prefer the interactive maps like those found on Zelda Dungeon or MapGenie. These allow you to toggle specific icons, which is huge when you're specifically hunting for caves. Others prefer the old-school method of using the Cherry Blossom trees.
Have you tried the Satori trick? If you place a fruit—any fruit, really, but apples are the easiest—in the small stone bowls at the base of Cherry Blossom trees, Satori appears. He lets out a pulse of light that marks every cave entrance in the region with a glowing blue pillar. It’s beautiful. It’s also temporary. The pillars fade after a while, so you have to be quick, or better yet, open your Purah Pad and mark them manually. This in-game "map" is immersive, but it doesn't tell you if you've already finished the cave. It just shows you the door.
The Problem With Verticality
Caves in the Great Plateau are easy. Caves in the Gerudo Highlands? That's a different story. Some cave systems have multiple entrances that are miles apart. Take the Sahasra Slope Cave, for example. You need it for the tower, but the layout is a literal maze of breakable rocks. Without a clear reference, you might spend thirty minutes and three rusted claymores just trying to find the right path to the pedestal.
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Then there are the Wells. People forget that Wells count as mini-caves. There are 58 of them. Fera, an NPC you’ll find at various stables, is obsessed with them. While they don't always house Bubbul Frogs, they are essential for 100% completion. A comprehensive map of caves totk should ideally include these because the loot—often rare mushrooms or fairies—is too good to pass up.
Hidden Gems and Hard-to-Find Entrances
Let’s talk about the ones everyone misses. The Deplian Badlands has some caves that are basically invisible from the air because of the overhangs. If you’re gliding from a Skyview Tower, you’ll never see them. You have to be on foot, actually scouring the cliffside.
One of the most complex systems is under Hyrule Castle. It’s not just one "cave." It’s a series of tunnels, docks, and secret rooms that contain some of the most iconic gear in the franchise. Tracking this on a 2D map is a nightmare. You have to look for the "Royal Hidden Passage." It connects the Lookout Landing well all the way to the castle. It’s long. It’s filled with rocks. It’s also where you find the Soldier’s Armor set.
- The Hebra Great Whale: Tucked inside a cave that requires you to melt ice blocks or use fire fruit.
- Mount Lanayru: Some caves here are hidden behind waterfalls. Very classic Zelda, but easy to overlook when you're freezing to death.
- The Akkala House of Bones: This isn't just a cave; it's a trap. But it's also where you find a specific piece of the Radiant set.
If you’re using a digital map, make sure it has a "layers" feature. Being able to see the difference between a cave on the surface and a tunnel in the Depths (though technically different, they often overlap in player searches) is vital.
Satori Trees are the Key
If you aren't using the Cherry Blossom trees, you are playing on hard mode. There are eight of these trees scattered across the map.
- Central Hyrule (near the Outskirt Stable)
- Hebra (near the Snowfield Stable)
- Akkala (near the East Akkala Stable)
- Gerudo (on a cliff overlooking the desert)
- Faron (near the Lakeside Stable)
Each tree covers a specific region. If you're missing one last frog in Eldin, head to the Eldin tree, drop an apple, and look for the beam of light that doesn't have your custom map pin on it yet. It’s the most "legit" way to fill out your map of caves totk without feeling like you’re cheating with a third-party website.
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The Bubbul Gem Economy
Why are we doing this? Is it just for the checkmark? No. It’s for Koltin.
Koltin is the eccentric brother of Kilton, and he has a dream. He wants to become a Satori. To do that, he needs to eat Bubbul Gems. It’s weird, but it’s Hyrule. Every time you bring him gems, he gives you rewards. First, it’s the Bokoblin Mask. Then the Moblin Mask. Eventually, you get the Mystic Clothing set, which makes you lose Rupees instead of health when you take damage. For high-level players with 20,000 Rupees and only 10 hearts, this is a game-changer.
The final reward for finding every single cave and every single frog is Koltin’s Fabric for your paraglider. It’s a badge of honor. It tells the world—or at least the NPCs—that you’ve scoured every inch of the subterranean world.
Misconceptions About Cave Tracking
A lot of players think the Sensor+ on the Purah Pad can track caves. It can't. It tracks objects, creatures, or ores. However, you can set it to track Bubbul Frogs. This is a pro-tip: once you have the frog in your compendium, set your sensor to it. Now, as you wander Hyrule, your sensor will beep when you’re near a cave entrance because the frog is inside.
This is often more effective than looking at a static map. The sensor has a vertical range, so it can tell you if a frog is directly beneath your feet in a cave you didn't know existed.
Another mistake? Assuming every cave has only one frog. While most do, some caves are so large or interconnected that it feels like you've entered a new one, but you haven't. Always check the entrance icon on your map. If there's a checkmark, the frog is gone. If there's just a cave icon, there's still a frog in there somewhere, probably laughing at you from a ceiling you haven't looked at yet.
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Practical Strategy for Completionists
Don't try to find all 147 in one sitting. You'll burn out. The best way to use a map of caves totk is to clear them region by region. Start with the Great Sky Island (yes, there are caves there too) and work your way down.
When you enter a cave, keep your eyes peeled for more than just the frog. Look for "Brightcaps" and "Sticky Lizards." These are markers. Developers often place these near the path that leads to the frog. If you see a trail of glowing mushrooms, follow it. It’s level design 101.
Also, bring bombs. Lots of bombs. Or a Yunobo. Many caves are gated behind massive walls of sediment. Sometimes these walls are blue or black, meaning they take multiple hits or stronger explosives to break. If you're looking at a map and you're at the exact coordinates but see nothing, look for a pile of rocks you can break.
Essential Checklist for Cave Hunting
- Unlock the Camera: Take a picture of a Bubbul Frog immediately.
- Upgrade the Purah Pad: Get the Sensor+ from Robbie at the Hateno Lab.
- Apples in Hand: Always keep a stack of apples for the Satori trees.
- Stamina Matters: Some caves, especially in the Zora region, require significant climbing on wet surfaces. Bring "Sticky" elixirs or the Froggy Armor set.
If you’re stuck at 146 frogs, check the "Isle of Rabac" in the middle of the lava in Eldin. It’s a common one to miss because players assume it’s just part of the Fire Temple questline. Another sneaky one is the cave inside the "Great Plateau North Chasm."
The map is your tool, but your curiosity is the real driver. There’s something uniquely satisfying about seeing that final checkmark appear on your screen. It’s not just about the loot; it’s about knowing you’ve seen everything the developers hid beneath the surface of this massive world.
To get the most out of your hunt, start by visiting the Cherry Blossom tree near the Outskirt Stable. It gives you a clear view of the Central Hyrule caves and sets the tone for the rest of your journey. Map out your route, stock up on arrows to shoot those frogs, and don't forget to look up at the ceilings. That’s where the gems are hiding.