Hollow Knight / Article
Fungal Wastes
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>
Fungal Wastes Map.png|Marked
Fungal Wastes Map Clean.png|Unmarked
</gallery>
|connection = [[City of Tears]]<br/>
[[Deepnest]]<br/>
[[Fog Canyon]]<br/>
[[Forgotten Crossroads]]<br/>
[[Queen's Gardens]]<br/>
[[Royal Waterways]]
|ambience = Ambience 1 - [https://youtu.be/29ILR84YJT0 Fungal Wastes (Atmos Loop)]<br/>
Ambience 2 - [https://youtu.be/PTOYPau1W84 (Cave Wind Loop)]<br/>
Ambience 3 - [https://youtu.be/hu44aJ9Sukg (Cave Atmosphere Misc.)]
|main = Main - [https://youtu.be/dfhlOVFImSA (Main)]<br/>
Bass - [https://youtu.be/QVPPAoftlog (Bass Pizzicato)]<br/>
Main + Bass - [https://youtu.be/XJGddInDvpk Fungal Wastes OST]
|action = [https://youtu.be/YPeRpWWUUUI Queen's Gardens (Action)]
}}Source details: Quote
{{Quote
|My understanding of Hallownest can be a little vague, but below those leafy caverns is a fungal grove, once home to peaceful creatures not quite bug and not quite plant.
|[[Elderbug]]
}}The Fungal Wastes are a humid area located near the middle of Hallownest with connections to several other areas.
Source details: raw HTML/media
<b> </b>
Description
The noxious caverns of the Fungal Wastes are covered in mushrooms of all kinds.
Source details: Footnote
<ref>[[Cornifer]]: <i>"I'm just about finished charting these noxious caverns..."</i></ref>
Besides this, caustic pools of acid are abundant throughout the area.
The Fungal Wastes are populated by the Mushroom Clan, a territorial group who pose a threat to anyone who wanders nearby.
Source details: Footnote
<ref>Cornifer: <i>"Very territorial types make their homes within this area."</i></ref>
Source details: Footnote
<ref name=journalp55>[[Hollow Knight: Wanderer's Journal|Wanderer's Journal]], p. 55.</ref>
The Mantis Tribe make their home further into the area and are equally unwelcoming to outsiders.
Source details: Footnote
<ref>[[Cloth]]: <i>"A long necked critter warned me of a tribe deeper down. Warrior sorts, so she says and I'm itching for some serious combat."</i></ref>
One of the main features of the area is the large Stag Station in the west part, Queen's Station.
Source details: Media
[[File: Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 01.png|thumb|left|200px|Typical room in the Fungal Wastes]]
Various NPCs are present throughout the area. Leg Eater has a shop where he sells Fragile Charms in the northeast part of the Fungal Wastes. Near his shop, Cloth can be found hiding under the ground. Quirrel can be encountered twice in the area, once in the Stag Station and later in Mantis Village. In the very south of the area, near Mantis Village, Bretta can be freed and returned to Dirtmouth. The Warrior Dream Elder Hu is found in the northeast near the entrance to the City of Tears. In the Mantis Village, the Mantis Lords can be challenged to gain access to an entrance to Deepnest.
A Charm Notch can be picked up after defeating two Shrumal Ogres in the north part of the Fungal Wastes. Three Charms are found throughout the area, Dashmaster in the southeast, Spore Shroom in the southwest near Deepnest, and Mark of Pride in a chest in Mantis Village after the Mantis Lords are defeated. After picking up the Mantis Claw from Mantis Village, a Mask Shard can be acquired in Queen's Station.
History
The native population of the Fungal Wastes mainly consists of the Mushroom Clan and the Mantis Tribe. The Mushroom Clan is a group of fungal creatures who have a shared mind.
Source details: Footnote
<ref>Fungal Wastes [[Lore Tablets (Hollow Knight)|Lore Tablet]]: <i>"Strength in the shared self. Strength in the mind united."</i></ref>
They share a border with Deepnest, whose inhabitants they were in conflict with.
Source details: Footnote
<ref>Fungal Wastes Lore Tablet: <i>"This border bounds the twisting, scratching things. [...] No peace with them we make."</i></ref>
When the Pale King arrived in Hallownest, they accepted his rule due to their strong belief that his foresight could protect them.
Source details: Footnote
<ref>Fungal Wastes Lore Tablet: <i>"Warily shall we accept the will of the Wyrm. Its prescience shields us."</i></ref>
However, the Mantis Tribe who live in the south part of the area had no love for the kingdom of Hallownest.
Source details: Footnote
<ref>[[Mantis Lords]] [[Hunter's Journal (Hollow Knight)|Hunter's Journal]] entry: <i>"The Mantis tribe and the bugs of old Hallownest had no love for each other."</i></ref>
The Mantises agreed to a truce where they would retain sovereignty over their territory, and in return, they would keep the beasts of Deepnest at bay.
Source details: Footnote
<ref>Mantis Village Lore Tablet: <i>"The truce remains. Our vigil holds. The beasts are kept at bay."</i></ref>
Source details: Footnote
<ref>Wanderer's Journal, p. 61.</ref>
Source details: Media
[[File:Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 09.png|Queen's Station|200px|thumb]]
The Fungal Wastes was an important area for travellers. The Pilgrim's Way, a road leading from the Forgotten Crossroads to the City of Tears, passed through the caverns.
Source details: Footnote
<ref>[[Forgotten Crossroads]] Lore Tablet: <i>"The Pilgrim's Way. Travellers of Hallownest, descend through verdant wilds and fungal groves to the city at this kingdom's heart."</i></ref>
Queen's Station connected Fog Canyon and the Fungal Wastes to the Stagways, becoming a hub of travel for travellers who wanted to visit the outer edges of Hallownest.
Source details: Footnote
<ref name=stag>[[Last Stag]]: <i>"This place was a bustling hub of travel, well-placed for travellers visiting the outer edges of the land."</i></ref>
When the Infection spread across the land, the Mushroom Clan became Infected and started becoming aggressive to outsiders.
Source details: Footnote
<ref name=journalp55/>
While the Mantis Tribe did not fall to the Infection, they retained their tradition of attacking anyone who wandered near their village.
Source details: Footnote
<ref name=quirrelmantis>[[Quirrel]]: <i>"The sickness in the air that clouds the mind of lesser beasts... they resist it. They retain their intellect and their honour, though also their lethal traditions."</i></ref>
Source details: Clear
{{Clear}}How to Access
Source details: Media
[[File:Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 16.png|Entrance from Fog Canyon|200px|thumb]]
The Fungal Wastes can be accessed from the south part of Fog Canyon, which connects to Queen's Station. To progress further into the area, the Mothwing Cloak is required.
Another way to first enter the area is from the southwest part of the Forgotten Crossroads, near the Hot Spring. The Mothwing Cloak is also required to enter this way.
Source details: TabbedPOI
{{TabbedPOI
|Header = true
|NPC1 = Bretta
|NPC2 = Cloth
|NPC3 = Cornifer
|NPC4 = Hornet (Hollow Knight){{!}} Hornet
|NPC5 = Leg Eater
|NPC6 = Mister Mushroom (Hollow Knight){{!}} Mister Mushroom
|Enemy1 = Ambloom
|Enemy2 = Fungified Husk
|Enemy3 = Fungling
|Enemy4 = Fungoon
|Enemy5 = Husk Hornhead
|Enemy6 = Shrumal Ogre
|Enemy7 = Shrumal Warrior
|Enemy8 = Shrumeling
|Enemy9 = Sporg
|Boss1 = Elder Hu
|Loot1_FileName = Dashmaster
|Loot2_FileName = Spore Shroom
|Loot3_FileName = Charm Notch
|Loot3_Amount = 1
|Loot4_FileName = Grub
|Loot4_Amount = 2
|Loot5_FileName = Whispering Root
|Loot5_Amount = 2
|Loot5_Description =
* Near Mantis Village: 18 [[Essence]]
* Near [[Fog Canyon]]: 20 [[Essence]]
|Loot6_FileName = Wanderer's Journal
|Loot6_Amount = 2
|Loot7_FileName = Hallownest Seal
|Loot7_Amount = 1
|Loot8_FileName = Geo Deposit
|Loot8_Amount = 13
|Loot9_FileName = Soul Totem
|Loot9_Amount = 2
|LoreTabletsSource = HK Fungal Wastes
|EnemyGauntletsSource = HK Fungal Wastes
}}Sub-area: Queen's Station
Source details: HK Infobox Area
{{HK Infobox Area
|image1 = <gallery>
Queens Station Map.png|Marked
Queens Station Map Clean.png|Unmarked
</gallery>
|ambience = Ambience 1 - [https://youtu.be/P0X2j9wT-Dk (Station Atmos)]
Ambience 2 - [https://youtu.be/hu44aJ9Sukg (Cave Atmosphere Misc.)]
|main = None
|action = None
}}Queen's Station is a run-down Stag Station which serves as a connection between the Fungal Wastes and Fog Canyon. In Hallownest's prime, Queen's Station was a bustling hub of travel, said to have been one of the busiest stations in the kingdom.
Source details: Footnote
<ref name=stag/>
Source details: Footnote
<ref>Wanderer's Journal, p. 57.</ref>
Even though the station is decayed, it is still possible to hear the ringing of the bells and the voices of bugs.
Source details: Footnote
<ref>Quirrel: <i>"Is it that, just faintly, you can still hear the echo of the bells?"</i></ref>
Source details: Footnote
<ref>Wanderer's Journal, p. 56.</ref>
Willoh can be found in one of the Stagway tunnels where she is eating fungus.
Source details: Footnote
<ref>[[Willoh]]: <i>"I chanced upon a unique little fungus growing right above us."</i></ref>
Quirrel can be encountered in the main hub after arriving from Fog Canyon for the first time. The east part of Queen's Station contains a Mask Shard which can be acquired after getting the Mantis Claw.
Source details: TabbedPOI
{{TabbedPOI
|NPC1 = Quirrel
|NPC2 = Willoh
|Loot1_FileName = Mask Shard
|Loot1_Name = Mask Shard (Hollow Knight){{!}}Mask Shard
|Loot1_Amount = 1
|Loot1_Description = requires [[Mantis Claw]]
|Loot2_FileName = Hallownest Seal
|Loot2_Amount = 1
}}Sub-area: Mantis Village
Source details: HK Infobox Area
{{HK Infobox Area
|image1 = <gallery>
Mantis Village Map.png|Marked
Mantis Village Map Clean.png|Unmarked
</gallery>
|ambience = [https://youtu.be/29ILR84YJT0 Fungal Wastes (Atmos Loop)]
|main = Main - [https://youtu.be/dfhlOVFImSA (Main)]
Bass - [https://youtu.be/jvkYsa33dDk (Bass Mantis)]<br/>
Main + Bass - [https://youtu.be/c6Fr9hUnieg Mantis Village]
}}Mantis Village is the home of the Mantis Tribe, a group of mantises who are able to resist the Infection.
Source details: Footnote
<ref name=quirrelmantis/>
They have a rich history, and their culture predates the birth of the kingdom of Hallownest.
Source details: Footnote
<ref name=journal60>Wanderer's Journal, p. 60.</ref>
The border of their village contains heads of beasts mounted on poles to deter any wanderers. Since the mantises shunned technology brought about by the Pale King, they made their buildings from sinew and bone.
Source details: Footnote
<ref name=journal60/>
While initially hostile, the mantises become neutral after the Mantis Lords are defeated.
The Mantis Claw ability can be picked up in the west part of the village. Quirrel can be found near the entrance of the main village when the area with the Mantis Lords is entered for the first time. After the Mantis Lords' defeat, the Mark of Pride Charm can be found in a chest in the southeast. Their defeat also opens up a connection to Deepnest.
Source details: TabbedPOI
{{TabbedPOI
|NPC1 = Quirrel
|Enemy1 = Mantis Warrior
|Enemy2 = Mantis Youth
|Boss1 = Mantis Lords
|Loot1_FileName = Icon HK Mantis Claw
|Loot1_Name = Mantis Claw
|Loot2_FileName = Mark of Pride
|Loot2_Description = found in a chest. Requires defeating Mantis Lords
|Loot3_FileName = Hallownest Seal
|Loot3_Amount = 1
|Loot3_Description = found in a chest. Requires defeating Mantis Lords
|Loot4_FileName = Geo Deposit
|Loot4_Amount = 10
|Loot5_FileName = Geo Chest
|Loot5_Amount = 1
|Loot5_Description = {{G|620}}. Requires defeating Mantis Lords
|Loot6_FileName = Lifeblood Cocoon
|Loot6_Amount = 1
|Loot6_Description = containing 2 [[Lifeseed]]s
|LoreTabletsSource = HK Mantis Village
}}Sub-area: Fungal Core
Source details: HK Infobox Area
{{HK Infobox Area
|image1 = <gallery>
Fungal Core Map.png|Marked
Fungal Core Map Clean.png|Unmarked
</gallery>
|ambience = [https://youtu.be/29ILR84YJT0 Fungal Wastes (Atmos Loop)]
|main = Main - [https://youtu.be/dfhlOVFImSA (Main)]<br/>
Bass - [https://youtu.be/QVPPAoftlog (Bass Pizzicato)]<br/>
Main + Bass - [https://youtu.be/XJGddInDvpk Fungal Wastes OST]
}}Fungal Core is a small area with several hidden tunnels which is accessible after acquiring the Monarch Wings. Its main features are a Lore Tablet which can be read with the Spore Shroom Charm equipped, and a big mushroom corpse which can be Dream Nailed.
The bottom of the zone leads to a hidden Mask Shard in Deepnest.
Source details: TabbedPOI
{{TabbedPOI
|Enemy1 = Ambloom
|Enemy2 = Fungling
|Enemy3 = Fungoon
|Enemy4 = Shrumal Ogre
|Enemy5 = Shrumal Warrior
|Enemy6 = Shrumeling
|Enemy7 = Sporg
|Enemy8 = Grimmkin Nightmare
|Enemy8cp = {{HK CP Icon Mini|The Grimm Troupe}}
|Loot1_FileName = Geo Deposit
|Loot1_Amount = 10
|Loot2_FileName = Rancid Egg
|Loot2_Amount = 1
|Loot3_FileName = Soul Totem
|Loot3_Amount = 1
|LoreTabletsSource = HK Fungal Core
}}Source details: Gallery
{{Gallery
|Title = Gallery
|Image1 = Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 02.png!Entrance to Leg Eater's shop
|Image2 = Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 03.png!Path leading to the City of Tears
|Image3 = Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 04.png!Lore Tablet which requires equipping Spore Shroom to read
|Image4 = Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 05.png!City of Tears sign
|Image5 = Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 06.png!End of the Pilgrim's Way
|Image6 = Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 07.png!Gate leading to the City of Tears
|Image7 = Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 08.png!Area where Spore Shroom can be found
|Image8 = Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 17.png!Connection to the Royal Waterways
|Image9 = Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 18.png!Dashmaster statue
|Image10 = Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 10.png!Entrance to Mantis Village
|Image11 = Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 11.png!Mantis Claw room
|Image12 = Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 12.png!Giant trapdoor dividing Mantis Village
|Image13 = Screenshot HK Mantis Lords 01.png!Mantis Lords area
|Image14 = Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 13.png!General room of Fungal Core
|Image15 = Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 14.png!Large vertical room in Fungal Core
|Image16 = Screenshot HK Fungal Wastes 15.png!Giant Mushroom in Fungal Core
}}Trivia
* It is possible to stand on the purple mushrooms by using the Desolate Dive/Descending Dark Spell or the Cyclone Slash Nail Art while above them. * There are several Lore Tablets in the Fungal Wastes, but the Spore Shroom Charm is required to read them. * While wearing the Spore Shroom Charm near a Lore Tablet, the background music becomes quiet and a chorus of voices speaking the same gibberish babbling of Mister Mushroom can be heard.
Source details: Localisation
{{Localisation
|DEname = Pilzöde
|DEmeaning =
|ESname = Páramos Fúngicos
|ESmeaning = Fungal Wastes
|FRname = Caverne nocive
|FRmeaning =
|ITname = Caverne Fungine
|ITmeaning =
|JAname = 胞子の森
|JAromanised = Houshi no mori
|JAmeaning = Fungal Forest
|KOname = 버섯 황무지
|KOromanised = Beoseot hwangmuji
|KOmeaning = Mushroom Wasteland
|PTname = Ermos Fúngicos
|PTmeaning = Fungal Wastes
|RUname = Грибные пустоши
|RUromanised =
|RUmeaning =
|ZHname = 真菌荒地
|ZHromanised = Zhēnjūn huāngdì
|ZHmeaning = Fungal Wasteland
|CODEname = WASTES
|CODEmeaning =
}}Queen's Station
Source details: Localisation
{{Localisation
|hr = false
|DEname = Station der Königin
|DEmeaning =
|ESname = Estación de la Reina
|ESmeaning = Queen's Station
|FRname = Station de la Reine
|FRmeaning =
|ITname = Stazione della Regina
|ITmeaning =
|JAname = 女王の駅
|JAromanised = Joou no eki
|JAmeaning = Queen's Station
|KOname = 여왕의 정거장
|KOromanised = Yeowangui jeonggeojang
|KOmeaning = Queen's Station
|PTname = Estação da Rainha
|PTmeaning = Queen's Station
|RUname = Вокзал Королевы
|RUromanised =
|RUmeaning =
|ZHname = 王后驿站
|ZHromanised = Wánghòu yìzhàn
|ZHmeaning = Queen's Post Station
|CODEname = QUEENS_STATION
|CODEmeaning =
}}Mantis Village
Source details: Localisation
{{Localisation
|hr = false
|DEname = Mantisdorf
|DEmeaning =
|ESname = Aldea Mantis<br>Poblado Mantis
|ESmeaning = Mantis Village
|FRname = Village des Mantes
|FRmeaning =
|ITname = Villaggio delle Mantidi
|ITmeaning =
|JAname = カマキリ族の村
|JAromanised = Kamakiri zoku no mura
|JAmeaning = Mantis Tribe's Village
|KOname = 사마귀 마을
|KOromanised = Samagwi maeul
|KOmeaning = Mantis Village
|PTname = Vila Louva-a-Deus
|PTmeaning = Mantis Village
|RUname = Деревня богомолов
|RUromanised =
|RUmeaning =
|ZHname = 螳螂村
|ZHromanised = Tángláng cūn
|ZHmeaning = Mantis Village
|CODEname = MANTIS_VILLAGE
|CODEmeaning =
}}Fungal Core
Source details: Localisation
{{Localisation
|hr = false
|DEname = Pilzkern
|DEmeaning =
|ESname = Núcleo Fúngico
|ESmeaning = Fungal Core
|FRname = Coeur Des Champignons
|FRmeaning =
|ITname = Nucleo Fungino
|ITmeaning =
|JAname = 胞子の中枢
|JAromanised = Houshi no chuusuu
|JAmeaning = Fungal Core
|KOname = 균사체 핵
|KOromanised = Gyunsache haek
|KOmeaning = Mycelium Core
|PTname = Núcleo Fúngico
|PTmeaning = Fungal Core
|RUname = Грибница
|RUromanised =
|RUmeaning =
|ZHname = 真菌核心
|ZHromanised = Zhēnjūn héxīn
|ZHmeaning = Fungal Core
|CODEname = FUNGUS_CORE
|CODEmeaning =
}}Source details: Refs
{{Refs|columns=2}}Source details: HK Nav Areas
{{HK Nav Areas}}Гъбените Отпадъци Pilzöde Páramos Fúngicos Caverne nocive Caverne Fungine Grzybowe Pustkowia Ermos Fúngicos Грибные пустоши Грибні пустки 真菌荒地
Source & attribution
- Source revision
- 192389
- 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.