Zelda Tears of the Kingdom: Red Pillar locations for Riju of Gerudo Town quest

All Red Pillar locations and how to complete the Riju of Gerudo Town quest in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Contents

1. First Red Pillar location – Zelda TOTK
2. Second Red Pillar location – Zelda TOTK
3. Third Red Pillar location – Zelda TOTK
4. The Lightning Stone – Zelda TOTK

If you’ve already made your way into Gerudo Town and the shelter in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, then it’s likely time you searched for some Red Pillars. Riju will tell you about the Gerudo legend in the back of the shelter, after the assault on Gerudo Town.

It’s a bit of cryptic riddle, but you can figure it out if you really think it through. Or, alternatively, you can just read through this guide for all of the information you need.

We have guides if you still need help reaching Gerudo Town or getting inside the Gerudo Shelter.

For more Zelda guides and tips, like how to find and activate all Skyview Towers, or an explanation of all Zonai Devices, make sure to read our full Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom walkthrough.

First Red Pillar location – Zelda TOTK

After you’ve got the quest and message from Riju about the Red Pillars and the light, head to Sortotanog Shrine which lies above Gerudo Town.

If you go behind the Shrine and look Southwest, towards the waypoint marker for the quest, you’ll see a Red Pillar in the distance, and another further towards the South. We’re heading for the Southeast pillar first, and will Paraglide as far as we can towards it.

When you get to the base of the pillar, you will see some cracked ground. Smash it open to reveal a bright light. This will shine on a mirror on the roof of the pillar, pointing a light into the distance.

Second Red Pillar location – Zelda TOTK

To get to the second pillar we’re going to climb to the top of the first pillar, and then Paraglide in the direction that the light is facing. As you Paraglide you will find updrafts of wind, which you can use to get above the Sand Shroud so you can see which direction you’re going.

Once you reach the pillar, look for another smaller pillar nearby with a lever on the top. Turn this lever to raise the main pillar until the mirror reaches the light beam. At this point it will shoot out a new, third light beam. You can guess what to do next.

Third Red Pillar location – Zelda TOTK

Once you’ve activated two Red Pillars, follow the third light beam to find the third and final pillar. There’s an updraft near the third pillar, which you will need to get up. You can also use Ascend to get to the roof.

On the roof you’ll find a lever which has had all the arms broken off, preventing you from turning it. Attach an item – this can be one of your weapons – to the side of the lever, and then use Ultrahand to rotate the lever. This will rotate the mirror and the lightbeam emitting from this pillar. 

Aim the light beam at the first Red Pillar. Done correctly, this should give you new a waypoint – a strange statue in the middle of the desert. 

The Lightning Stone – Zelda TOTK

Once you reach the altar that has been opened up by the three Red Pillars, Riju will meet you there. Once she uses her lightning ability, shoot the antenna coming from the top of the altar’s statue.

This will activate it, opening up the Lightning Temple, which you can get through with our Lightning Temple walkthrough.