Baldur’s Gate 3is a massive turn-based RPG where each decision and dialogue option matters, and thus each playthrough will be different. While some players slowly scour the map and find every location they can loot, the game isn’t designed for players to find everything at once.
Instead, because of how the natural exploration works inBG3, there are loads of areas, even in Act 1, that players will miss. Thankfully, these can be seen as exciting prospects for future playthroughs. Be sure not to miss the followingBG3Act 1 secrets!
Updated July 11, 2025 by Joe Grantham:The sheer size of Act 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3 means there are many hidden areas, either underground or behind seemingly impenetrable doors. While players may find some of these locations easily thanks to hints from an NPC or through sheer luck, other areas can elude even the most attentive explorers.
With Game of the Year winner Baldur’s Gate 3 releasing on consoles, even more adventurers are curious about what secrets they may have missed in their first playthrough.
1A Scuffed Rock Hiding Treasure By The Sea
Down A Cliff, Use A Strong Character To Move A Rock & Reveal Loot
Finding all the possible loot inBG3always feels good, and can come in handy for thoseplaying on Honor Mode, where every little helps. At the very start of the game, there is one small and somewhat hidden beach where 2 Potions of Speed can be found.
Granting an additional action, more move speed, and other stats, Potions of Speed are incredibly useful in fights. From the Roadside Cliffs Waypoint, head southwest until you reach some cliffs jutting into the sea. you may use the rocks behind where Astarion spawns to climb down. Cross the water to the rocky alcove and then, with a character with high Strength, such as a Barbarian, hold and move the Scuffed Rock to reveal the loot.
2Secret Tiefling Hideout - The Dragon’s Lair
A Hideout For Mol’s Gang Of Tiefling Children With The Emerald Grove
There are many secret locations within the Emerald Grove alone, one of these being a secret hideout for Tiefling children. There are many ways to gain access to these caverns. One is to simply speak to Doni, a Tiefling child found near the combat training and oxen.
He can reveal a concealed hatch just behind him that can be clicked on. Players may also find this hideout bysaving Mirkon from the harpies on the beach. While there isn’t too much loot inside, there are plenty of interesting characters to talk to inside, such as Mol, and these conversations can tie up or start quests. For extra gold look for a chasm and use some form of long leap or teleport to jump across to a Wicker Basket.
Find The Smuggler’s Ring & Other Loot
To find one of thebestBG3rings in Act 1, players will want to check out this easy-to-miss stretch of land, which contains other bits of loot too. It is somewhat beneath the Risen Road, running alongside a stream. Upon one of the skeletons, they will find the Smuggler’s Ring, which grants +2 Stealth and +2 Slight of Hand, making it a must-have for Rogues.
The easiest way to get here is to climb down a Cragged Rock to the left of the broken bridge that runs north of the Blighted Village to the Risen Road. Players may come from the other side naturally though. This route can also be used to dodge a nasty fight with Hyenas.
4Secret Room In The Toll House Basement
Bonus Treasure For Those Who Figure Out How To Enter
Players are likely familiar with the Risen Road Toll House in Act 1, where Anders and his crew are posing as Paladins in an attempt to hunt down Karlach. More adventurous players may have alsofound the Toll Collector Key, down near Karlach, and used it to enter the basement.
However, behind one of the basement walls, is a secret room filled with treasure. To enter this hidden area, players will need to split their party to have two members sit on the two thrones simultaneously. Once inside, players will need to be careful of traps, but the effort is worth it for the loot, especially the Gloves of Heroism, which are perfect for Paladins.
5Secret Rooms At The Top Of The Abandoned Refuge
An Extra Fight & A Rare Crossbow Hidden Behind Two Locked Doors
The Abandoned Refuge is a location next to the Grymforge in the Underdark of Act 1 and many players will venture here naturally. However, not everyone looks up and wonders if seemingly out-of-reach places are accessible. Above, there are a series of lifts that can be controlled with levers, and these present one way to reach a hidden room at the top of the Abandoned Refuge. This initial room can be entered through a locked door.
There is also a way to jump up from another location using spells such as Misty Step, and this bypasses the need to unlock the door. Inside, players will find death and signs of Shar worshipers. By looting a hanging skeleton, players will find a key to another door, behind which they can expect a fight. If successful, they will be able to loot a Firestoker crossbow, as well as two Elixers of Fire Resistance, which should not be overlooked for certain fights.
6Druid Sanctuary Island In The Sunlit Wetlands/Putrid Bog
A Great Source Of XP & Players Might Find A Huge Revelation About Kagha
The Sunlit Wetlands or the Putrid Bog (depending on whether the illusion has been dispelled) is the area where players can visit Auntie Ethel. However, it is very easy to go to her tea house and get lost in the unexpected adventure that awaits. As a result of this, many players miss an island on the edge of the map where there is a fairly big fight.
The island, known as the Druid or Decrepit Sanctuary, is reached by jumping over small channels of water onto rocks or anything resembling land. The fight is made up of Wood Woads and Mud Mephits, who explode upon death. After finishing combat, players will be able to find a letter revealing thetrue intentions of the new Druid leader, Kagha, at the Emerald Grove. The Sparkle Hands gloves found here are great for those with Lightning builds.
7Ebonlake Grotto & The Myconid Colony
Protected By Exploding Mushrooms With Lots Of Quests & Loot
The Underdark is truly full of mysteries, and one of the many locations hidden beneath the surface is the Ebonlake Grotto, which is home to the Myconid Colony. In many ways, this location isn’t all that hard to find, but it is also easy to miss or even overlook. Located northeast of the Sussur Tree, at the very north of the Underdark, players should come across a large mushroom minefield that can be destroyed at a safe distance using ranged attacks.
Once they have made it through the minefield, players will talk to the leader, Sovereign Spaw. There are many ways to convince this telepathic leader to allow the party through, although the best option is probably to tell the truth. Once inside the colony, players will quickly discover that it is on the edge of rebellion and whichever faction they side with will certainly have the upper hand. There are a multitude of quests in this location and two vendors who sell some ofAct 1’s most unique items.
8Secluded Cove
An Easy To Miss Location Behind The Emerald Grove With An Interesting Fight
Due to the direction from which players approach the heart of the Emerald Grove, it can be easy to miss the entrance to the Secluded Cove, which is just next to where the Bard Alfira can be found. While there is not too much in terms of great loot, apart from a ring in the harpy nest, players do have the chance to save a Tiefling child and engage in a highly interesting fight against harpies.
Just like Alfira, these harpies also sing, and if they are successful with their melody, they will lure members of the party in, making them unable to take action. The fight is certainly not easy, especially if players have only just entered the Emerald Grove while still at a low level. After the fight, players will discover there are many hidden ledges and columns to jump to in the Secluded Cove, all of which are hiding small amounts of loot.
9The Arcane Tower
Protected By Turrets & Full Of Surprises
The Underdark is full of secrets and hidden areas, but one of the easier-to-find locations is the Arcane Tower, located in the southwest. However, while many players will spot it, getting inside isn’t easy. Arcane Turrets protect the tower from trespassers. To circumvent these turrets, players can use Misty Step or Feather Fall to jump onto mushrooms and find a different way into the tower. On the first floor of the tower, players can add Sussur Blossom to the generator, which will disable the turrets and activate the elevator.
Once inside the tower, players will find plenty of magical mysteries. The area is more about problem-solving rather than combat. At the top of the tower, however, players may be attacked if they do not give the guardian Bernard the correct answers. There is some incredible loot in the tower, including one ofthe hardest-to-find weapons inBG3,the Staff of Arcane Blessing.
10The Adamantine Forge
Make Unique & Powerful Adamantine Items
If players choose to travel through the Underdark to reach Act 2 ofBG3, then they will inevitably pass through the Grymforge as the last part of their journey. Within the Grymforge, however, is a much harder-to-find location: the Adamantine Forge. Players might first stumble across some Duergar who are searching for the lost forge, and from here there is a passageway covered by rubble that the party must clear somehow.
Alternatively, some characters can use the Fly ability or an enhanced jump to reach a ledge, which leads to a fast travel point for the forge. Around this location, players will find Mithral Ore and various molds that can be used toforge special Adamantine weapons or armor. When players start up the forge by pulling the Lava Valve, an Adamantine Golem will spawn. Known as Grym, this golem is considered one the hardest bosses in Act 1.
