The Secret of Sands is the very first side quest that you will get in the game, and it is located in Alfheim. There are some favors and side quests in God of War Ragnarok that is quintessential to the story, and one of them is the Secret of Sands. The game takes about 55-60 hours for 100% completion. So, many players prefer doing the main missions first and the side ones later.
- The Secret of Sands is a favor quest that can only be unlocked after completing the Groa’s Secret main quest.
- Once you have finished Groa’s Secret, follow Atreus into a hole in the desert and pick up the treasure map, as it is needed later.
- Secret of Sands will automatically start once you enter The Barrens or interact with Sindri at his forge in Alfheim.
- The quest marker will take you in direction of a cave, which can be identified by the small pillars and broken structures near it.
- The main problem players face during this questline is the hive puzzles.
- In order to efficiently do these, aim your Leviathan Axe at the purple mirror and wait for the line to turn blue. Once it is blue, throw your axe and the puzzle will be completed.
- As for the Hafgufa Bindings, they will be shown on your map and work just like the Hive Puzzles.
Secret Of Sands In GOW Ragnarok

Unlocking The Secret of Sands

- Complete the “Groa’s Secret” main quest.
- After completing “Groa’s Secret,” a new path will open in Alfheim due to the clashing of elves.
- Follow Atreus to the desert. Along the way, you’ll pass through a hole, and you’ll find a treasure map on the ground. Be sure to pick up this map.
- As you progress through the story and complete certain objectives, you’ll receive a side quest related to hunting.
- Keep progressing in this side quest until you come across an abandoned market. There, you’ll find Sindri’s Workshop.
- Talk to Sindri, and he will give you the “Secret of Sands” quest, which will be added to your favors list.
Completing these steps will unlock the “Secret of Sands” side quest for you to pursue.
How To Complete Secret Of Sands
Now that you have the Secret of Sands quest in your favors list in God of War Ragnarok, it is time that you complete it. The first thing you will need to do is open the Mystic Gateway and keep going toward the depths of the desert. As you keep on going, you will come across Gulon. They are two creatures who will be walking in a direction carrying a sled.
Ride On Gulon To Reach The Cave

You will come across a storm but do not worry. Keep heading southeast, and eventually, you will find a cave-like structure with some small towers and structures next to it, right in the middle of the sand. To continue the quest, you will need to enter it.
Clear The Path And Fight The Dark Elves

- Enter the cave and follow Atreus, clearing obstacles with the Blades of Chaos.
- Destroy Dark Elf Hive Bulbs along the way by throwing your axe at the glowing part.
- Defeat the lone Dark Elf you encounter.
- Continue destroying hive bulbs to clear your path.
- Destroy three hive bulbs simultaneously by throwing your axe at the twilight stone when the pink line turns blue.
- Face off against a group of Dark Elves who attack you.
- Collect a Hacksilver chest and a healthstone in the area.
- Deal with Dark Elves, including Summoners who can call reinforcements.
- Choose between two paths: North to find the Nornir Bell or East, blocked by hive bulbs.
Collect The Loot
Climb the wall between two doors. Remove a piece of metal blocking a hook spot to destroy hive bulbs. Continue forward to find Patience, a Lore Rune, and a Red Coffin with materials. Return to the upper floor, cut down a vase for rawhide, cross a gorge via a zipline, collect Hacksilver from a wooden chest, and return to Atreus.
Complete The Exploration
Now you will need to go ahead until you find yourself surrounded by a Nightmare and Wretches. Fight against them and once you eliminate them successfully, open the gate that is near the Nornir Chest. The gate is essential in God of War Ragnarok for unlocking because later on, you will need to come back to the first chamber, and it will be the best path in Secret of Sands.
Since you are not ready for the Nornir Bell Puzzle just yet, you will need to move on and explore the path that you will just discovered. Then you need to climb up to find Kratos and talk to Atreus. After that, you will finally be at the final Bell of Nornir. Open the gate after dropping down, and it will lead you back to where you came from; however, you are ready now to unlock the Nornir Chest.
Open The Nornir Chest
Collect the N, C, and R bells quickly. Start with the N Bell, then find the C Bell near the chest. Return to the gate and hit the R Bell. Opening the Nornir Chest grants either Idunn Apples (max health increase) or Horns of Blood Mead (max rage increase).
Fight The Dark Elf Lord

The Hive Puzzles

Hit the gold turnstile to position the twilight stone for efficient target hits. Eliminate creatures and use Blades of Chaos with L1 grab. Face Nightmares spawned by the Nightmare Nest, and eliminate the nest to stop the Nightmares from spawning.
The Bindings Of Hafgufa’s

Climb a ledge on your way out and access the red coffin, containing Hacksilver, forged iron, and dwarven steel.
Heading Out

Continue deeper into The Barrens by riding the sled. Look for a huge structure with a glowing red light beneath it. Destroy the hive bulb there to complete the Secret of Sands side quest and clear The Barrens of storms, freeing Hafgufa.
Final Words
All in all, completing the Secret of Sands side quest is very important in God of War Ragnarok, especially if you want to know about the noises that Atreus keeps hearing. Moreover, you will be able to free The Barrens from the Storms that keep occurring.
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