Silksong Guide: How to Reach Sands of Karak and Fi
Reach the Sands of Karak in Hollow Knight: Silksong with this route guide: get Clawline, beat Great Conchflies, meet Pinstress, and climb up.
Reaching the Sands of Karak in Hollow Knight: Silksong is one of those late-Act 2 milestones that feels equal parts triumph and test of patience. The area sits behind a demanding platforming route, a duo boss, and a few ability checks, so players who rush in without Clawline or a healthy supply of Rosaries will likely find themselves backtracking. The good news is that the path becomes much clearer once players understand the intended sequence: obtain Clawline in the eastern Underworks through Whiteward, travel to the Bellway Station in Blasted Steps, float down near the left wall, defeat the Great Conchflies, meet the Pinstress, and then use Needle Strike and Clawline to climb into the Sands of Karak. As of 2026, this route remains one of the most memorable and mechanically demanding stretches in Silksong’s second act.
Quick Route at a Glance
Step
Action
Important Detail
1
Acquire Clawline
Found in eastern Underworks, accessed through Whiteward
2
Reach Blasted Steps Bellway Station
Head right, then down
3
Descend carefully
Float throughout the fall and stay near the left wall
4
Enter first left passage
Leads to the Great Conchflies duo boss
5
Defeat Great Conchflies
Dodge both bosses and attack when they pop up
6
Head left after arena
Glide right to the Pinstress hut
7
Talk to Pinstress
Grants Needle Strike
8
Head left for grapple point
Harpoon and use Clawline to climb
9
Take top-left passage
Continue upward while avoiding wall bugs
10
Arrive in Sands of Karak
Hit yellow balls, use corals, find Shakra
Prerequisites and Preparation
The first hard requirement is the Clawline ability. It is located inside the eastern part of the Underworks, which players can access through Whiteward. Without Clawline, the later harpoon points and vertical traversal in this route simply cannot be completed. Players should also prepare for a boss fight, because the path to the Sands of Karak passes directly through the Great Conchflies arena.
Rosaries are another consideration. Shakra sells the Sands of Karak map for 90 Rosaries, and players who arrive with an empty purse may feel stuck. Fortunately, the area is not a dead end. There are quite a few shortcuts that lead to different locations, as well as a Bellway Station. Players can use the Bellway Station to travel to an area where farming is easier, collect a substantial purse, and then return to buy the map. That makes the journey less punishing than it first appears, especially for explorers who like to bank resources before committing to a long platforming run.
The Route to the Sands of Karak
Once Clawline is in hand, players should make their way to the Bellway Station in Blasted Steps. From there, the route begins by heading right and then down. The fall is long, and control matters more than speed. Players should float throughout the fall and stay near the left wall. The first passage they come across on the left will lead them to an area where they will face the Great Conchflies.
This is a duo boss fight, so awareness is everything. Players need to watch where both bosses are coming from and dodge them while finding windows to attack whenever they pop up. Greedy hits are dangerous here; the fight rewards patience, positioning, and clean dodges more than raw aggression. After the Great Conchflies are defeated, players should head left of the boss arena.
The next section is a small but satisfying traversal challenge. Players can basically glide all the way to the right and reach the hut where the Pinstress resides. Talking to the Pinstress grants the Needle Strike ability. From there, players should head left to find a grapple point they can harpoon at. By repeatedly using Clawline to make their way up, they will eventually need to go through the passage on the top left.
The climb continues upward, and this is where the wall bugs become a serious threat. They deal two mask damage, so trading hits is a bad idea. Players should keep their movement deliberate and avoid panicking when the platforming tightens. As they progress further, they will finally reach the Sands of Karak.
Inside the Sands of Karak
The Sands of Karak introduce a new layer of platforming built around yellow balls and coral. Players sho