The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom features numerous side quests that test a player's puzzle-solving skills across the freezing peaks of Hebra. Among these open-world challenges, the Treasure of the Secret Springs favor stands out for its clever riddle and high-tier armor reward. Locating the hidden cavern and unsealing its ancient chest requires navigating snowy terrain and manipulating thermal water sources.
Starting the Treasure of the Secret Springs Quest
To begin this quest, players must first complete the main story mission involving Tulin in Rito Village. Afterward, return to the top of Rito Village to speak with Tulin on the observation deck. He will read a cryptic riddle detailing a secret treasure resting at the central point between three iconic hot springs.
The three hot springs mentioned in the riddle are the Sturnida, Goflam, and Sherfin secret hot springs scattered across the region. Rather than placing a direct quest marker on your map, the game encourages manual navigation based on environmental landmarks. Preparing cold-resistant gear or cooking warming meals is essential before venturing out into the freezing winds.
Locating the Hidden Cave Entrance
The true location implied by the riddle is the North Biron Snowshelf Cave situated in the Hebra Mountains. Players can find this specific spot roughly midway between the three hot springs in the northern landscape. Fast traveling to nearby shrines makes reaching the mountain slope considerably faster.
Upon reaching the coordinates near the snowshelf, look closely along the rocky walls for a massive block of solid ice blocking a tunnel. You must melt this frozen barrier using fire sources such as campfires, fire fruit arrows, or a ruby fused to your shield. Once the ice melts away, drop into the opening to access the cavern interior.
Solving the Water Flow Puzzle
Inside the cave, players will encounter a large central shaft featuring an updraft and a massive stone statue at the bottom. To trigger the mechanism, you need to redirect hot spring water from three different directions into the central chamber. Using your paraglider on the updraft allows easy maneuverability around the high cavern walls.
Scan the walls for breakable rock obstructions that line up with the outer hot spring locations. Attaching bomb flowers to your arrows allows you to blast open the correct rock seals quickly. As each rock barrier destroys, streams of warm water will flood into the main room.
Claiming the Legendary Reward
Once all three water channels are opened, the water level rises enough to activate the ancient mechanism. The large central statue will slide aside, revealing a hidden passage directly behind it. Walk into the newly opened chamber to reach the grand treasure chest.
Opening the chest grants the Vah Medoh Divine Helm, a powerful headpiece associated with the Rito champion. This armor piece grants useful cold resistance while boosting character defense stats on your journey. Completing this favor provides both valuable lore and essential survival gear for exploring colder climates.
