Hollow Knight: Silksong Guide | How to Get to the Widow Boss

Here's a guide on how to get to the Widow Boss in Hollow Knight: Silksong

Game Guide by Imdeadfrfr on Oct 07, 2025

The map of Hollow Knight: Silksong is vast and endearing and could seem convoluted for anyone new to the game. Finding your way to the bosses to progress the game can be equally as hard.

So, in this guide, I will help you find the boss, the Widow.

Finding the Widow boss in Hollow Knight: Silksong can be a bit confusing the first time you try to leave Shellwood and make a foray into Bellhart, especially with the layered threats, bell walls, and cycling enemy patrols that make the route feel like a maze.

Hollow Knight: Silksong, Guide, How to Get, to the Widow Boss

Most players have found themselves circling or taking spike damage before even reaching the arena, only to learn the route later. However, once learned, the run is quick and reliable.

You will first need the Cling Grip, the climbing ability obtained in Shellwood, as this upgrade is absolutely required for scaling the vertical shortcut that leads you to Bellhart.

If you have not yet acquired this traversal skill, you will not be able to access the boss arena at all, so be sure to complete the relevant parts of Shellwood first. Starting from the Shellwood respawn point makes the journey easier, as it provides a good checkpoint close to the vertical shaft.

From there, you have to climb directly up through a shortcut using the Cling Grip ability, a huge time saver compared to the extended way around through the tangled lower chambers.

At the end of the climb, move across the thin platforms and ledges, climbing up the final vertical wall until you reach the upper section of Shellwood, which opens into Bellhart.

You will now encounter vine walls and bell barriers. These resonant barriers need to be broken to clear the path ahead, and depending on how deeply you went in previously, you may have already broken some of them. Make sure to shatter them all, as they are portals deeper into Bellhart.

Hollow Knight: Silksong, Guide, How to Get, to the Widow Boss

Some players also recommend eliminating the secret vines toward a hidden bench shortcut so that the runback to Widow is much less punishing if you fall during the fight. Having cleared the obstacles, you'll continue downward through a series of narrow, risky passages.

A gap lined with spikes is the first danger to watch out for; precision jumping or slow descending with the Cling Grip can make it crossable, but attempting to speed up can cost you a mask in a jiffy. Later on, you'll find enemies that attack you in repeating sequences.

The ideal way to do this is to watch their movement patterns, then cross through during openings rather than attempting to force through all of them together. Having cleared this section, enter the narrow passageway on the left, descend further, and cross to the right.

This one leads directly to the door of the Widow's arena, the one you've been attempting to access. At this point, make sure you're ready for the fight before stepping in.

Hollow Knight: Silksong, Guide, How to Get, to the Widow Boss