Hollow Knight / Article

Dirtmouth

Content updated 2026-05-27 · Sources & license

Overview

Source details: HK Nav Areas
{{HK Nav Areas}}
Source details: HK Infobox Area
{{HK Infobox Area
|image1 = <gallery>
Dirtmouth Map.png|Marked
Dirtmouth Map Clean.png|Unmarked
</gallery>
|connection = [[Crystal Peak]]<br/>
[[Forgotten Crossroads]]<br/>
[[Howling Cliffs]]
|ambience = Ambience 1 - [https://youtu.be/yVVeWYYd3Gc Dirtmouth (Wind Loop A + C)]<br/>
Ambience 2 - [https://youtu.be/PTOYPau1W84 (Cave Wind Loop)]
|main = [https://youtu.be/PjjXPTQe5tY Dirtmouth]
}}
Source details: Quote
{{Quote
|Our town's fallen quiet you see. The other residents, they've all disappeared. Headed down that well, one by one, into the caverns below.
|[[Elderbug]]
}}

Dirtmouth, initially introduced as Dirtmouth, The Fading Town, is the first town on the way to Hallownest, located in the valley between the Howling Cliffs and Crystal Peak.

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Source details: Footnote
<ref name=journal6>[[Hollow Knight: Wanderer's Journal |Wanderer's Journal]], p. 6.</ref>

In Hollow Knight, it initially has only one resident, but more bugs can return or move into town depending on certain events.

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Description

Dirtmouth is located right above the ruins of the kingdom of Hallownest, in a barren valley with rare tufts of grass, safe from the winds of the wasteland. Many lumafly lamposts are erected in and around town. Travellers used to come through the King's Pass, west of the valley, during the kingdom's heyday. However, a large door now bars access to the pass and the bridge leading down from it collapsed, forcing the occasional wanderers through hard detours around the cliffs.

Source details: Footnote
<ref name=pass>[[Elderbug]]: <i>"To reach Dirtmouth, most travellers take circuitous routes around the cliffs beside us. It's a hard trek now but in the kingdom's prime things were far simpler. There's an old pass in the cliffs that once allowed easy access. The bridge up to it has long since crumbled away, and even without it, a huge door bars entry."</i></ref>

The Knight reaches Dirtmouth through that pass after breaking down its stone door, marking the start of their journey through Hallownest.

Dirtmouth itself is almost abandoned, with many of the houses boarded up and empty. Elderbug is the oldest remaining bug in town and the only remaining resident.

Source details: Footnote
<ref>[https://www.fangamer.com/collections/hollow-knight/products/hollow-knight-switch-ps4-pc-game Official manual]: <i>"The oldest resident of Dirtmouth."</i></ref>

Bretta and Sly, two of the missing residents, return to town if they are rescued, with Sly resuming his job as Dirtmouth's shopkeep.

Source details: Footnote
<ref>Elderbug: <i>"That lovely young lass returned to us!"<br>"Oh, what a turn! Our shopkeep's come home."</i></ref>
Source details: Media
[[File:Screenshot HK Elderbug 01.png|Town Centre|thumb|200px|right]]

Besides a shop, Dirtmouth also has a Stag Station locked from the inside but reachable from any other Station. Iselda opens a map shop next to the station when a Map has been purchased or False Knight has been defeated.

East of town is a graveyard which leads to a stone door barring a cave, requiring a Simple Key to open. Confessor Jiji can be found in that cave in normal mode, or

Source details: Steel Soul Icon Mini
{{Steel Soul Icon Mini|HK}}

Steel Soul Jinn in

Source details: Steel Soul Icon Mini
{{Steel Soul Icon Mini|HK}}

Steel Soul Mode. Above the door, a lift goes up to Crystal Peak, but the lever to activate it is by the mines' entrances.

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{{Clear}}

History

Dirtmouth used to be a bustling town during Hallownest's golden age, being a respite for travellers to and from the kingdom.

Source details: Footnote
<ref name=journal6/>

They would reach town through King's Pass

Source details: Footnote
<ref name=pass/>

, then either head down the kingdom's roads by foot or by Stag

Source details: Footnote
<ref>[[Last Stag]]: <i>"This place was once full of travellers coming and going."</i></ref>

or head straight to the crystal mines by a mechanical lift.

Source details: Footnote
<ref>Elderbug: <i>"There's mines and machinery and all sorts of valuable rock forms inside. Many a traveller through Dirtmouth headed straight for it."</i></ref>
Source details: Media
[[File:Screenshot HK Dirtmouth 01.png|The well leading to the Forgotten Crossroads|200px|thumb]]

Once the Infection spread across Hallownest, all entry points into the kingdom were sealed to prevent the spread of the Infection, including the Stag Station.

Source details: Footnote
<ref name=journal6/>
Source details: Footnote
<ref>Elderbug: <i>"Entry to the kingdom was forbidden long ago, supposedly after some great calamity."<br>"The Stag Station has opened! That building lay silent since before even my time."</i></ref>

Dirtmouth's old well remained as the only way to enter Hallownest. This well was used by many wanderers and adventurers to get into the ruins of the kingdom, with few of them ever returning.

Source details: Footnote
<ref>Elderbug: <i>"Over time, all kinds used the well to wriggle into the ruins, wanderers, thieves, adventurers. Funny how few ever come back up."</i></ref>

When the bridge up to King's Pass crumbled away, the few travellers coming to Dirtmouth had to take circuitous routes around the cliffs.

Source details: Footnote
<ref>Elderbug: <i>"To reach Dirtmouth, most travellers take circuitous routes around the cliffs beside us. [...] I can't complain mind you. It's meant we've only ever had to accommodate a trickle of travellers, even during our busiest times."</i></ref>

Over time, nearly everyone living in Dirtmouth went down the well, drawn in one by one by the promise of wealth, glory, or enlightenment.

Source details: Footnote
<ref name=well>Elderbug: <i>"The other residents, they've all disappeared. Headed down that well, one by one, into the caverns below."<br>"Wealth, glory, enlightenment, that darkness seems to promise all things."</i></ref>

The town fell quiet, with none of the residents ever returning from the ruins of Hallownest.

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<ref name=well/>
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How to Access

Source details: Media
[[File:Screenshot HK Dirtmouth 05.png|King's Pass entrance to Dirtmouth|200px|thumb]]

The initial way to access Dirtmouth is from King's Pass, after breaking down the door at the very end of the area.

Source details: TabbedPOI
{{TabbedPOI
|Header = true

|NPC1 = Bretta
|NPC2 = Confessor Jiji
|NPC3 = Cornifer
|NPC4 = Elderbug
|NPC5 = Gravedigger
|NPC6 = Iselda
|NPC7 = Sly
|NPC8 = Tiso
|NPC9 = Zote the Mighty
|NPC10 = Cloth
|NPC11cp = {{Steel Soul Icon Mini|HK}}
|NPC11 = Steel Soul Jinn
|NPC12 = Brumm
|NPC12cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|The Grimm Troupe}}
|NPC13 = Divine
|NPC13cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|The Grimm Troupe}}
|NPC14 = Grimm
|NPC14cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|The Grimm Troupe}}
|NPC15 = Nymm
|NPC15cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|The Grimm Troupe}}
|NPC16 = Grimmsteed
|NPC16cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|The Grimm Troupe}}

|Enemy1 = Hopping Zoteling
|Enemy1cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|Hidden Dreams}}
|Enemy2 = Winged Zoteling
|Enemy2cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|Hidden Dreams}} 
|Enemy3 = Volatile Zoteling
|Enemy3cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|Hidden Dreams}}

|Boss1 = Grey Prince Zote
|Boss1cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|Hidden Dreams}}
|Boss2 = Grimm
|Boss2cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|The Grimm Troupe}}
|Boss3 = Nightmare King Grimm
|Boss3cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|The Grimm Troupe}}

|Loot1_FileName = Nailmaster's Glory
|Loot1_Description = given by Sly as the Nailsage
|Loot2_FileName = Grimmchild
|Loot2cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|The Grimm Troupe}}|Loot2_Description = given by Grimm
|Loot3_FileName = Carefree Melody
|Loot3cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|The Grimm Troupe}}|Loot3_Description = given by Nymm if the troupe has been banished
|Loot4_FileName = Mask Shard
|Loot4_Name = Mask Shard (Hollow Knight){{!}}Mask Shard
|Loot4_Amount = 1
|Loot4_Description = in Bretta's house
|Loot5_FileName = Charm Notch
|Loot5_Amount = 1
|Loot5cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|The Grimm Troupe}}|Loot5_Description = award for beating Grimm

|LoreTabletsSource = HK Dirtmouth
}}

Sub-area: King's Pass

Source details: HK Infobox Area
{{HK Infobox Area
|image1 = <gallery>
Kings_Pass_Map.png|Marked
Kings_Pass_Map Clean.png|Unmarked
</gallery>
|ambience = Ambience 1 - [https://youtu.be/D92S_2v76_o (Cave Noises)]<br/>
Ambience 2 - [https://youtu.be/PTOYPau1W84 (Cave Wind Loop)]<br/>
Ambience 3 - [https://youtu.be/r4OmcWhVzsk Dirtmouth (Wind Loop C)]
}}

King's Pass is a set of desolate tunnels going through the cliffs west of Dirtmouth. It used to be the main entryway into Hallownest, but fell into disrepair, forcing the occasional traveller to circle around the cliffs.

Source details: Footnote
<ref name=pass/>

The caverns' walls are covered with giant fossilised shells and contain glowing Lore Tablets throughout the ruined road. At the far east is a large sealed door that must be broken open to access Dirtmouth and the rest of Hallownest.

This area can later be returned to through the Howling Cliffs, or by going back through the eastern entrance using the Mantis Claw or by using Crystal Heart from the most western point of Crystal Peak.

Source details: TabbedPOI
{{TabbedPOI
|NPC1 = Mister Mushroom (Hollow Knight){{!}}Mister Mushroom

|Enemy1 = Crawlid
|Enemy2 = Vengefly
|Enemy3 = Grimmkin Master
|Enemy3cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|The Grimm Troupe}}

|Loot1_FileName = Fury of the Fallen
|Loot1_Description = In a chest
|Loot2_FileName = Geo Deposit
|Loot2_Amount = 5
|Loot3_FileName = Lifeblood Cocoon
|Loot3_Amount = 1
|Loot3_Description = containing 2 [[Lifeseed]]s

|LoreTabletsSource = HK King's Pass
}}

Special Rooms

Source details: HK CP Header
{{HK CP Header|The Grimm Troupe}}

The Grimm Troupe's Tents

Source details: Media
[[File:Grimm_Troupe's_Tents_icon.png|thumb|40px]]

After the Grimm Troupe's Quest has been started, two large tents appear in Dirtmouth, shocking its inhabitants. The smaller tent is home to Divine, who can turn Leg Eater's Fragile Charms into Unbreakable ones, for a large amount of Geo.

The larger tent contains a grand stage in which Grimm offers the Knight a Charm, Grimmchild. This tent also hosts Grimm's fight. After this fight and once all flames have been collected, an area to the right of the stage opens up. At the end of a long corridor, Grimm can be found sleeping. With the Grimmchild Charm equipped he can be Dream Nailed in order to start the Nightmare King Grimm battle.

The eastern corridor of Grimm's Tent also contains a passage leading to a secret room. It can be accessed by climbing up the second arch from the left. The secret room has several inaccessible chests, the masks of the Grimmkin, and an unknown device in the middle.

Source details: HK CP Icon Mini
{{HK CP Icon Mini|Lifeblood}}

If a Spell is used in this room, a red barrier lights up.

Source details: Clear
{{Clear}}
Source details: Gallery
{{Gallery
|Title = Gallery
|Image1 = Screenshot HK Dirtmouth 09.png!Stag Station entrance
|Image2 = Screenshot HK Dirtmouth 08.png!Dirtmouth Graveyard
|Image3 = Screenshot HK Dirtmouth 02.png!Lift leading to Crystal Peak and entrance to the cave
|Image4 = Screenshot HK Dirtmouth 03.png!Top of the lift connecting to Crystal Peak
|Image5 = Screenshot HK Dirtmouth 10.png!The start of King's Pass
|Image6 = Screenshot HK Dirtmouth 04.png!Room where Fury of the Fallen can be found
|Image7 = Screenshot HK Dirtmouth 06.png!Town Centre after the Grimm Troupe is in Dirtmouth
|Image8 = Screenshot HK Grimmsteed 01.png!The Grimm Troupe's tents
}}
Source details: Localisation
{{Localisation
|DEname = Mistmund
|DEmeaning = 
|ESname = Bocasucia
|ESmeaning = Portmanteau of <i>boca</i> (mouth) and <i>sucia</i> (dirty)
|FRname = Dirtmouth
|FRmeaning = —
|ITname = Pulveria
|ITmeaning = 
|JAname = ダートマウス
|JAromanised = Dātomausu 
|JAkatakana = foreign
|JAmeaning = Dirtmouth
|KOname = 흙의 마을
|KOromanised = Heulgui maeul
|KOmeaning = Village of Dirt
|PTname = Dirtmouth
|PTmeaning = —
|RUname = Грязьмут
|RUromanised =
|RUmeaning = 
|ZHname = 德特茅斯
|ZHromanised = Détèmáosī
|ZHmeaning = Dirtmouth
|CODEname = DIRTMOUTH
}}

King's Pass

Source details: Localisation
{{Localisation
|hr = false
|DEname = Königspass
|DEmeaning = King's pass
|ESname = Paso del Rey
|ESmeaning = Pass of the King
|FRname = Passe du Roi
|FRmeaning = 
|ITname = Passo del Re
|ITmeaning = 
|JAname = 王の道
|JAromanised = Ō no michi
|JAmeaning = King's road
|KOname = 왕의 길
|KOromanised = Wangui gil
|KOmeaning = King's Road
|PTname = Passagem do Rei
|PTmeaning = King's Pass
|RUname = Перевал Короля
|RUromanised = Pereval Korolja
|RUmeaning = 
|ZHname = 国王山道
|ZHromanised = Guówáng shāndào
|ZHmeaning = King's Mountain Pass
|CODEname = KINGS_PASS
}}
Source details: Refs
{{Refs|columns=2}}
Source details: HK Nav Areas
{{HK Nav Areas}}
Source details: #seo:
{{#seo:|keywords:the fading town, dirt mouth, starting town, dirtmuth}}

Дъртмауф Mistmund Bocasucia Dirtmouth Pulveria Dirtmouth Dirtmouth Грязьмут Ґрунтмут 德特茅斯

Source & attribution

Source revision
191753
Content updated
2026-05-27
License
CC BY-SA 3.0

Adapted from Hollow Knight Wiki. Original contributors retain attribution through the linked source revision and its page history.