All Red Pillar locations in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TotK)

Once you have made your way through the hot, harsh sands of the desert to Gerudo town, you’ll be ready for a cold shower and a glass of ice water. Sadly, there is no rest for Link. After finding Riju in the desert, it’s straight back to work remedying all the problems of the sandy wasteland. A quick bit of city defense later, and it’s time to solve the mysteries of the Red Pillar locations in Tears of The Kingdom. A stone slab in the basement of Gerudo town hints at the locations of three Red Pillars in the desert, which is up to you to find, of course.

Red Pillar locations in Tears of The Kingdom

Thankfully there are only three Red Pillar locations dotted around the map, and they’re not too tricky to get to. Although the sand in the desert makes everything remarkably hard to see, there are updrafts you can use to get above it all. These, along with the beams of light, are what you should be using to get around.

To start the mission, I suggest you head up to the shrine spawn spot above the temple. This gives you the best vantage to glide to the first Red Pillar location in Tears of The Kingdom.

Red Pillar 1 location

Screenshot by PC Invasion

You can spot this one easily from the top of the temple. Look towards the yellow marker, and you’ll see it poking out from the dust storm. Glide your way over using the updrafts. The first puzzle is an easy one, simply make your way onto the platform and smash the rocks away from the light source. This will cause the beam to shoot out and direct you to the next Red Pillar location.

Red Pillar 2 location

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Again, using the updrafts and beam of light, make your way through the sand storm. I found most of the updrafts were actually on the right side of the beam of light to make things easier. The second Red Pillar location in Tears of The Kingdom requires you to raise its height. You can find the crank just behind it, slightly further into the dust storm. Twist the crank until you hear it reach the right level.

Final location

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Finally, the third Red Pillar location in Tears of The Kingdom requires you to change the angle to connect the three. I used Ascend to make my way to the very top of the tower, where you will find another crank. I think the game expects you to use some building materials from the level below, but I found a much easier way to turn the Red Pillar. Once you are at the top, simply connect one of your spare weapons, or whatever you have to hand, to the wheel, and hey presto, you have a lever. This will align the light beams and activate the next stage of the mission. I suggest you load up on healing potions…