Planning your next journey after defeating Rennala
Once you have defeated Rennala in Elden Ring, the world opens like a vast new continent. Many players ask where to go after Rennala, and the answer shapes the rhythm of your entire mid game journey. Treat this moment as you would planning the next leg of a long trip after beating a demanding mountain stage.
Inside the Academy of Raya Lucaria, the Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, encounter marks a turning point, because this boss signals the end of Liurnia’s early progression phase and the start of true open exploration. After beating Rennala, full of arcane power in her second phase, you gain access to her Great Rune of the Unborn, which functions like a powerful travel document, allowing you to respec and refine your build for the regions ahead. Think of this rune as a flexible visa that lets you redesign your style before you cross into the Altus Plateau or the crimson wastes of Caelid.
From a trip planning perspective, the question is not only where after Rennala, but also in which order you should tackle the next destinations. Some players will head straight for the Grand Lift of Dectus to reach Altus Plateau, while others prefer to explore the hidden depths of Siofra River or the dangerous frontier where Magma Wyrm Makar waits. Your route choice in this game mirrors real world itinerary design, where the sequence of cities and landscapes can transform the entire travel experience.
Reaching Altus Plateau via the grand lift of Dectus
For many players, the most natural answer to where to go after Rennala is the golden plateau beyond the cliffs of Liurnia. To reach Altus Plateau efficiently, you will need both halves of the Dectus Medallion, because this item activates the Grand Lift of Dectus like a key that unlocks a high mountain pass. Using the lift Dectus route feels similar to boarding a scenic cable car that whisks you from a lakeside valley to a sunlit alpine plain.
The right half of the Dectus Medallion is found in Fort Faroth in eastern Caelid, on a chest at the top of the interior ladder, while the left half lies in Fort Haight in eastern Limgrave, reached by following the road south from Mistwood. Once you have both pieces, travel to the Grand Lift of Dectus at the northern end of Liurnia, stand on the circular platform, and select the prompt to hoist the medallion. The short cutscene confirms that the mechanism has engaged and carries you to the plateau above.
The Academy of Raya Lucaria lies behind you, yet its lessons in magic and timing remain crucial as you step into Altus, where knight patrols, roaming field bosses, and new games of risk and reward await. Once the Grand Lift carries you upward, the landscape changes dramatically, and the road to Leyndell, Royal Capital, stretches ahead like a long distance trek through a historic imperial city. This route is ideal for travellers who want a structured progression, because it leads clearly toward the role of Elden Lord while still leaving space for detours into side regions.
Before you commit to this path after beating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, make sure your character level and equipment match the challenge, just as you would check fitness and gear before a high altitude hike of several kilometres. Community analysis often recommends being around level 60 with upgraded weapons (at least +10 standard or +4 somber) before pushing deep into Altus, which keeps most encounters demanding but fair. If you enjoy planning photography focused trips, you may appreciate how this elevated region rewards careful timing and route selection, with sweeping vistas that invite you to pause, observe, and capture the changing light.
Exploring Caelid and the path toward General Radahn
Travellers who prefer wild, challenging frontiers often choose Caelid as their answer to where to go after Rennala. This region feels like journeying into a volcanic desert, where the sky burns red and every kilometre tests your preparation and will to continue. Community guidance suggests that a character level between 50 and 70 is advisable for Caelid, which mirrors the way experienced hikers respect difficulty ratings before entering hazardous terrain.
Within Caelid, Magma Wyrm Makar and other magma wyrm variants function like optional summit attempts, offering intense boss encounters off the main trail. These dragon fights echo the earlier academy challenges, but instead of the refined magic of Raya Lucaria, you now face raw elemental fury that punishes any lapse in timing. Many players use detailed progression guides to plan when to tackle these bosses, in the same way travellers consult trekking maps and stage descriptions before committing to a demanding ascent.
Defeating Starscourge Radahn in this region is a major milestone on the road to becoming Elden Lord, comparable to reaching a legendary pass on a long distance pilgrimage. The Redmane Castle festival lets you summon multiple NPC allies, so a common tactic is to stay mounted on Torrent, ride in wide circles to avoid his gravity attacks, and re-summon companions whenever they fall. After beating such a formidable boss, you may reassess your broader itinerary, deciding whether to continue deeper into the Lands Between or to slow your pace and savour side areas. That same mindset underpins modern slow travel, where spending one country and two weeks can reshape how you plan every journey, encouraging you to linger in memorable locations rather than rushing to the final destination.
Following Ranni’s questline and the Siofra River detour
Not every traveller wants a straight line from Rennala to the capital, and some prefer a more enigmatic route. If you are wondering where to go after Rennala while craving mystery, Ranni the Witch offers a compelling alternative path that begins at Caria Manor in northern Liurnia. Starting her questline feels like accepting an invitation to a secret region that lies beneath the standard tourist map.
Ranni’s storyline leads you toward the Siofra River, an underground expanse that resembles a night sky turned into a cavern, where the full moon seems to shine from beneath the earth. Exploring Siofra River after beating the academy boss is similar to adding a hidden valley or cave system to a real world itinerary, trading crowded landmarks for quiet, atmospheric spaces. Many players describe this phase of the game as a highlight, because it contrasts sharply with the structured corridors of Raya Lucaria and the sunlit roads of Altus Plateau.
From a planning perspective, weaving Ranni’s questline into your route after Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, allows you to balance main story progress with deep side content. Official guidance clarifies that Ranni’s quest is not mandatory, yet it offers unique rewards, powerful equipment, and an alternate ending, much like a detour that changes the narrative of a long trip without being required for arrival. This approach mirrors how travellers might add a lesser known region to a classic itinerary, enriching the journey without derailing the overall schedule.
Refining your build and equipment for mid game travel
Defeating Queen Rennala at the heart of Raya Lucaria does more than unlock new regions; it also grants the power to reshape your character. Her Great Rune of the Unborn allows full respecialisation, so after beating this boss you can adjust attributes to suit the destinations you plan to visit next. Treat this moment like reorganising your luggage before a multi country trip, ensuring that every piece of equipment matches the terrain ahead.
If you intend to focus on magic during the next phase of the game, the Dark Moon Greatsword and other sorcery oriented weapons become central to your strategy, just as a photographer might prioritise specific lenses for a landscape focused journey. Players who lean into intelligence based builds after Rennala, full of arcane energy, will find that spells and staves turn challenging routes into manageable paths, especially in regions where enemies are vulnerable to sorcery. On the other hand, travellers who prefer melee combat may respec toward strength or dexterity, preparing for knight duels and close range fights that resemble intense, short climbs rather than long distance treks.
Using community resources at this stage is similar to consulting expert travel planners who understand both the geography and the logistics of a complex route. Many experienced players recommend levelling up before entering Caelid or Altus Plateau, echoing common advice to strengthen your build before tackling mid game regions. By aligning your character’s strengths with your chosen path after Rennala, you reduce frustration and create a smoother, more rewarding journey through the Lands Between.
Designing an itinerary by length in the Lands Between
Thinking about where to go after Rennala also means deciding how long you want each leg of your Elden Ring journey to last. Some players prefer a short, focused route from the academy to Altus Plateau and then directly toward Leyndell, treating the game like a tightly scheduled city break. Others design longer itineraries that include Siofra River, Caelid, and multiple optional bosses, more akin to a month long overland trip across several regions.
For a one week style itinerary, you might defeat the queen full of lunar power in Raya Lucaria, ride Torrent north to Caria Manor, and then use the Grand Lift to reach Altus Plateau without lingering in side areas. A two week equivalent could weave in the magma wyrm encounters, extended exploration of Liurnia’s western cliffs, and a deeper dive into Ranni’s questline before you even think about the capital. Longer journeys, similar to extended backpacking trips, may include repeated visits to earlier zones after beating new bosses, using the flexibility of fast travel like a network of regional trains.
When planning these routes, remember that the Lands Between form a sprawling open world closer in scale to a small real world country than a single city. That scale justifies a structured approach to where after Rennala, in the same way you would segment a national road trip into logical stages of 100 to 200 kilometres per day. If you enjoy region by region planning, you may appreciate resources that break destinations into clear segments, helping you decide which areas to prioritise now and which to reserve for a later return visit.
Key figures and travel style statistics for Elden Ring journeys
- Official materials and in game achievements highlight a core set of major shardbearer bosses across the Lands Between, which helps players estimate how many major “stops” their journey will include, similar to counting key cities on a multi country itinerary.
- Developer interviews describe Elden Ring’s world as significantly larger than previous FromSoftware titles, with a map size comparable to exploring a compact real world nation rather than a single metropolitan area.
- Community trends show that many players favour Ranni’s questline for its unique ending, indicating a strong preference for routes that combine main story progress with distinctive side narratives, much like travellers who prioritise culturally rich detours over the fastest path between capitals.
- Speedrunning communities often focus on optimal post Rennala routes, demonstrating how different itinerary choices can dramatically reduce total playtime, in the same way that direct high speed rail connections shorten traditional overland journeys.
FAQ about where to travel next after Rennala
How do I reach Altus Plateau after defeating Rennala ?
To reach Altus Plateau after defeating Rennala, you must collect both halves of the Dectus Medallion and then activate the Grand Lift of Dectus located north of Liurnia. Once you assemble the medallion, stand on the lift platform and raise it to trigger a short scene that carries you to the plateau. This method mirrors using a mountain cable car to bypass a dangerous pass and is the most direct route toward Leyndell.
Is Ranni’s questline mandatory after the academy of Raya Lucaria ?
Ranni’s questline is not mandatory after the academy, but it offers unique rewards and an alternate ending that many players consider among the most satisfying in the game. Beginning this storyline at Caria Manor opens access to underground regions like Siofra River, which provide a very different atmosphere from Altus or Caelid. Choosing this path is similar to adding a remote national park to a city focused itinerary, enriching the journey without being required for completion.
What level should I be before travelling into Caelid ?
Most experienced players recommend reaching at least level 50 before entering Caelid, with level 70 providing a more comfortable margin for its toughest encounters. The enemies and bosses in this region hit significantly harder than those around Raya Lucaria, so arriving under levelled can feel like attempting a high difficulty trek without proper training. Treat Caelid as an advanced stage of your itinerary and plan your progression accordingly.
Should I go to Altus Plateau or Siofra River first after Rennala ?
The choice between Altus Plateau and Siofra River depends on your preferred travel style within the game. Altus offers a clearer path toward the main story and the role of Elden Lord, while Siofra River and Ranni’s questline emphasise atmosphere, mystery, and long term narrative payoffs. Many players visit both in the mid game, but those who value structured progression usually prioritise Altus first.
How does beating Rennala change my overall Elden Ring itinerary ?
Beating Rennala marks the transition from early game exploration to a more open, mid game structure where multiple regions become viable next steps. Her Great Rune of the Unborn enables full respec, allowing you to redesign your build for destinations like Altus, Caelid, or the underground areas tied to Ranni. In practical terms, this victory is like finishing the first major leg of a long trip and gaining the flexibility to adjust your route, gear, and pace for the adventures ahead.
Sources and further reading
- FromSoftware, Elden Ring official guide and in game descriptions.
- Bandai Namco and FromSoftware developer interviews on world size and open world design.
- Community discussions, wikis, and Q&A archives on Elden Ring progression strategies and recommended levels.