Update: Visiting every Nornir Chest location in God of War Ragnarok is a mammoth task, but we've updated this page to include links to our pages on how to easily access the hidden and hard-to-reach Nornir Chests in Vanaheim, Alfheim and Midgard. The puzzles may be tough, but the rewards are worth it.
Nornir Chests in God of War Ragnarok are devious environmental puzzles set by the fates of Norse mythology to hide rare and powerful items from the unworthy.
Each rune chest is sealed by three symbols and can only be opened when all of them have been destroyed.
But solving them is only half the battle, you have to actually find them first.
Secreted in obscure nooks and concealed crannies, Nornir Chests are the premium collectibles in God of War Ragnarok and offer extremely useful upgrades that are pretty much vital to Kratos and Atreus’ progress.
Below, we’re going to show you every Nornir Chest location and solution in God of War Ragnarok, including in the optional story areas outside of the main story path.
To avoid spoiling later story areas, we’ve listed the Nornir Chests from the first half of the game initially and will update this page with the rest of the locations after the game has been released for a little while longer.
What are Nornir Chests in God of War Ragnarok?
There are three main types of Nornir chests:
- Timed challenges where you have to ring three bells in quick succession to open the chest
- Treasure hunts where you have to destroy three idols in the vicinity of the chest to release the seal
- Environmental challenges where you have to uncover and light three hidden braziers using Kratos’ Blades of Chaos
However, as Kratos’ arsenal of equipment grows new elements are added to the puzzles that lock Nornir Chests. So if you find any which seem inaccessible or require an item you don’t yet have, it’s a simple task to return once you’ve got what you need.
As a reward, Nornir Chests most often contain Vitality upgrades which extend Kratos' life bar, or Rage upgrades that increase how much anger he can store up at one time. Towards the end of the game, you can also find powerful Runic Attacks that unlock new offensive options.
God of War Ragnarok Nornir Chests Locations and Solutions
- Svartalfheim Nornir Chests
- Aurvangar Wetlands Nornir Chests
- Bay of Bounty Nornir Chests
- The Forge Nornir Chest
- Jarnsmida Pitmines Nornir Chest
- The Applecore Nornir Chests
- Myrkr Tunnels Nornir Chest
- Alfheim Nornir Chests
- The Strond Nornir Chests
- Temple of Light Nornir Chest
- The Barrens Nornir Chest
- The Below Nornir Chest
- The Forbidden Sands Nornir Chests
- Vanaheim Nornir Chests
- The Southern Wilds Nornir Chest
- Eastern Barri Woods Nornir Chest
- The Abandoned Village Nornir Chest
- Cliffside Ruins Nornir Chest
- The Veiled Passage Nornir Chest
- The Goddess Falls Nornir Chest
- The Plains Nornir Chest
- The Sinkholes Nornir Chest
- The Jungle Nornir Chest
- Midgard Nornir Chests
- The Oarsmen Nornir Chest
- The Lost Treasury Nornir Chest
- Raider Hideout Nornir Chest
- Well of Urd Nornir Chest
- Muspelheim Nornir Chests
- The Crucible Nornir Chest
- The Burning Cliffs Nornir Chest
Svartalfheim Nornir Chests
The Nornir Chests in the Aurvangar Wetlands, Bay of Bounty and Jarnsmida Pitmines can be collected on your first visit to Svartalfheim. However, you will need to return later on your second visit to Svartalfheim during the main story to collect the Nornir Chests in The Forge, The Applecore and the Myrkr Tunnels.
Aurvangar Wetlands Nornir Chests
Chest 1
This Nornir Chest is located right when you first dock at the beach in Aurvangar Wetlands. You need to break the three idols to open it.
The first seal is just to the right of the chest.
The second seal is on the island behind it.
The final seal is overlooking the chest. First, freeze the geyser behind you as you face the chest.
Then climb up and smash the last statue to claim your prize.
Chest 2
After the gate opened by the water wheel, go left through the small opening where you see the glowing chest overlooking the water. When you dock the Nornir chest is on your right.
To open it you need to change the three spinning mechanisms to the correct symbols: the D, the B and the N/H-looking one.
The first mechanism is just to the right covered by the geyser.
The second spinning mechanism is behind the huge metal structure behind the chest.
To find the final mechanism, grapple up to the ridge on the left, then turn back on yourself.
Bay of Bounty Nornir Chests
Radsvinn’s Rig
To open the Nornir Chest on Radsvinn’s Rig, you need to ignite the braziers in the vicinity of the puzzle with your Blades of Chaos. The first brazier is just to the left of the chest.
The second is over to the right of the chest. Ask Atreus to destroy the shimmering green barrels with an arrow to reveal the firepit.
You can then throw your Blades of Chaos through the hole to light it.
If you look at the chest, then turn 360 to look behind you, the third brazier is across the other side of the mining rig behind a grate.
Use the grapple point to get up above the grate and throw your axe at the flaming pot to light the fire and open the chest.
Alberich Island
On Alberich Island in the northeast of the Bay of Bounty, once you land on the beach you need to ring all three bells before their chimes finish to break the seal.
The first bell is just to the right of the chest.
The second bell is behind you, to the left as you face the chest. Ask Atreus to shoot the green-shimmering joint on the crane holding the bell to drop it into range.
Finally, the last bell is also behind you, to the right as you turn away from the chest. Hit the spinning mechanism to lift the bell so you can quickly ring it with your Leviathan Axe. Sound this bell first, then the other two.
Dragon Beach
On Dragon Beach in the east of the Bay of Bounty, you need to find the breakable rune statues to unseal the chest.
First, get Atreus to shoot the cranes around the area to start up geysers, then freeze the geysers with your Leviathan Axe and you can see the statues behind them, remember their position, then throw your Axe through the geyser to smash them.
The first geyser is right behind the chest.
The second is over to the right, hidden behind a grate.
To smash it walk around the back-side of the rocks and throw your axe from this side.
Then for the final statue, turn 360 from the second statue and look behind you. Freeze the geyser and you should spot the last idol to unseal the Nornir Chest.
The Forge Nornir Chest
At the top of the mountain after you ride the mine train, you can find a Nornir Chest to the right, past the painting of the green heart on the rock.
This chest is inaccessible on your first visit to Svartalfheim and requires a later item that allows you to destroy all three idols at once.
The first statue is to the left of the chest on the cliff-face.
The second idol is also to the left of the chest, out over the edge of the cliff.
The final idol statue is back by the broken train, on top of a rock.
Jarnsmida Pitmines Nornir Chest
Just after you enter the Jarnsmida Pitmines area and freeze the wooden chute on the main story path, you come to a Nornir Chest. To open it, you need to light the three nearby braziers.
The first brazier is easy to find right next to the chest.
The second is down the ledge to the left.
Then the third is hidden behind the blocked passage to the left of the second one. You need to unfreeze the chute above you, if you haven't already, to get to the third brazier, but it unlights the second. So to complete the puzzle, jump across and light the third brazier, then refreeze the chute above you and relight the second fire to open the chest.
The Applecore Nornir Chests
As you make your way through The Applecore on your first visit to Svartalfheim in God of War Ragnarok, you may notice that you miss two Nornir Chests. Don’t worry.
These chests are accessed much, much later in your adventure when you return to Svartalfheim with a new piece of equipment. You will know what it is once you get it on your second main story visit to Svartalfheim.
Chest 1
On a return visit through the early areas of Svartalfheim, go back through to the Applecore via the Aurvangar Wetlands and Sverd Sands. Eventually you will reach a point where you fight two revenants. Defeat them, then you will see a point where they were guarding that you can jump up.
You need to detonate the three rune idol statues at the same time to unseal the chest.
The first statue is over the gap in front of the chest, and so is the second idol.
To skewer the third, go up the two ledges on the right and turn around, then you can get a good angle on the last statue.
Chest 2
Continue back through The Applecore and until you reach the spiral structure at the middle. Bear right and go under the chute with the blue glow behind it, then through the door in the top left.
There is then a jump point here you can use to make a shortcut to the Jarnsminda Pitmines.
To unlock the chest you need to destroy three statues simultaneously. The first is in the storage room next to the mystic gateway.
The second is around the corner to the left next to the rift. Explode the pot to reveal it.
Finally, the third is behind the water spout to the right of the chest. You need to freeze the flow with your axe to reveal, then skewer it like the others.
Myrkr Tunnels Nornir Chest
On the main mission path in the Myrkr Tunnels in Svartalfheim, you need to light the three braziers to gain access to this chest.
The first is directly behind you as you look at the chest.
The second is over the grate to the left of the chest. You need to use linked sigil arrows to light it.
Then the third is in the corridor leading up to the chest, deviously hidden behind some boxes on the right.
Alfheim Nornir Chests
On your first visit to Alfheim during the main story you can collect the first chest in The Strond, the chest in the Temple of Light, and the chests in The Barrens and The Below.
The Nornir Chests in The Forbidden Sands can both be collected at the same time once you can enter the area - a Favour will be added to your journal - but the second chest in The Strond will require a further trip to Alfheim once you have the correct equipment (you will know what it is).
The Strond Nornir Chests
Chest 1
Almost as soon as you enter the realm of Alfheim, the Nornir Chest is off the ledge to your left after you squeeze through the first gap. To open it you need to light the three nearby braziers.
The first torch to light is behind you when facing the chest.
Next, the second is around the corner, over the ledge.
Finally, the third brazier is above the second, on a high rock overlooking it.
To light it, you need to go back up to where you dropped down to access the chest from then, light the brazier from above.
Chest 2
On the main story path leading to the Temple of Light, just to the right after you defeat the first light elves in The Strond you find an inaccessible Nornir chest. You need special equipment that’s found much later in your adventure - you will know when you get it - to detonate all three idol statues at once.
The first statue is to the right of the chest.
While the second is on the cliff behind you as you face the chest.
Lastly, the third and final statue is on the other side of crevasse to the left of the chest, behind the glowing rock you also need the special equipment to smash.
Temple of Light Nornir Chest
Inside of the Temple of Light there’s a Nornir Chest on your right after you learn about light bridges. To open it you need to quickly ring the three bells before their chimes finish sounding.
The first bell is just next to the chest.
The second bell is in the staircase to the right, behind a sound stone.
Then the third bell is on the balcony up and to the left of the chest. To do all three, you need to reflect your axe off of the stone in the stairwell.
The Barrens Nornir Chest
After you complete the main story arc in Alfheim, you’re given the option to explore the optional area of The Barrens. In the northern corner is a Nornir Chest that you need to light three torches to access.
First, light the two braziers around the outside of the island.
They’re both accessible around the perimeter of the island.
Now, on the northern side, throw your axe to get rid of the Dark Elf hive material and reveal the chest on the southern side of the island.
Then the final brazier is on the roof of the structure, which you light by throwing your axe at the pot beside it.
The Below Nornir Chest
During the Secret of the Sands Favour you enter an area called The Below. You see the Nornir Chest through a wooden gate as you advance the quest, but eventually you get to a gap you use your Blades to jump over.
On the other side, drop down to the right and you get to the chest.
Open the wooden gate next to the chest to access the first bell and the second is right next to it too.
Finally, the third bell is up and above the second, through the window of the building there.
To get to the third one, continue along the quest path, destroying the Dark Elf hive material and hopping around the cliff with your Blades.
This leads to the third bell as well as a gate to the right of it which leads back to the chest. Strike it then rush down to sound the others.
The Forbidden Sands Nornir Chests
Chest 1
In the southwest of The Forbidden Sands you need to light the three braziers to open the Nornir Chest.
The first is outside the chest area on top of a rock, which you use linked sigil arrows to light.
The second is also outside out the chest area, and again you use linked sigil arrows to light it.
Finally, the last torch is much easier. It’s right next to the Nornir Chest.
Chest 2
This Nornir Chest is in the east of The Forbidden Sands in Alfheim.
First, there’s a hole under the entrance to the library you can slip into. Inside you need to light the three braziers.
The first brazier is over the gap to the left. Use linked sigil arrows to light it by sparking the fire pit.
Then the second brazier is over the gap to the right. It’s very difficult to light, easily the hardest in the main game. Use linked sigil arrows, then shoot another into the fire pit to ignite them and light the torch. You need to line up the shots almost perfectly to maximise the distance and link the fire pit and the brazier with just two arrows.
After that frustration, the third is above the second, behind the sheet of sound-weak hive material. This time, link the two braziers with sigil arrows and shoot another into the already lit torch to ignite the arrows and last torch.
Then to clear the hive nodes and access the chest, stand in front of the chest and line up your axe throw to hit the reflection stone on the right so it goes through the first node, bounces off the stone on the back wall, then lands on the third node.
Vanaheim Nornir Chests
On your first visit to Vanaheim during the main story quests you can collect the chests in the Southern Wilds, the Abandoned Village, Cliffside Ruins, the Veiled Passage and Goddess Falls.
You will have to wait until you return later on to get the chest in the Eastern Barri Woods. Following the second main story arc in Vanaheim, you need to complete the Scent of Survival Favour in Freyr's Camp to access The Plains, The Sinkholes and The Jungle Nornir Chests.
The Southern Wilds Nornir Chest
On the main story path, you happen across this chest as you make your way through the dense forest.
To open it, you need to clear the vines from around the rune spinners with your Blades of Chaos, and it's a devious one.
The first rune spinner is behind you and up as you face the chest. Change it so it shows the "n" rune.
The second rune spinner is up and to the left of the chest. Change it to show the "c" rune.
Then for the hardest one, the third spinner is back down the path you just came from, up on the cliff. Burn the vines to the left of the spinner, then switch it to show the "R" rune.
Eastern Barri Woods Nornir Chest
This chest is only available on your second visit to Valheim during the main story quest, as is visible in the forest of the Eastern Barri Woods.
To unlock it, you need to spin three rune machines to the correct symbol. The first is to the left of the chest and needs spinning to first rune that resembles an "F".
The second spinner is to the left of the chest,over the gap next to the Wulver. Spin it to the rune that resemles a "C".
Finally, the third spinner is back on the path leading up to the chest on the left. Burn vines by linking sigil arrows and spin it to the rune that looks like a "D".
The Abandoned Village Nornir Chest
During the main story, when you try to find a way to cross the broken bridge by spinning the large crane, you need to burn the brambles surrounding the crane and swing the lit brazier attached to the crane into the Nornir torches and light them.
To light the torches, first position the brazier on the crane next to them, then use your Blades of Chaos to yank the flame into the torch. Swing it towards you from the position above.
You can't see them as you do it, but once you know they're there, swing the crane into them by hitting the target with your Leviathan Axe. Swing it left from the position above.
The third torch can just be lit with your Blades of Chaos. It's next to the chest on the other side of the bridge.
Cliffside Ruins Nornir Chest
In the River Delta, the Cliffside Ruins is across from Brok and Lunda's shop.
You need to turn the three spinners to the right symbols, and the first is found across from Brok’s shop so ride your boat over and spin that to show the rune that looks like "D".
The second is behind the vines to the right of the chest. To get to it, link sigil arrows around the corner, then spin to show the rune resembling an "R".
Finally, to drop the chain to get to the third spinner, climb the wall next to the ghost and hop along the pillars. At the end, light the vines with your blades, and you can see the last spinner underneath the chain. Spin it to show the "F".
The Veiled Passage Nornir Chests
To open the Nornir Chest in The Veiled Passage, you need to ring all three bells in quick succession.
But first, use the firebombs by the golden rocks to destroy them.
Next, shoot a sigil arrow at the vines across the river and throw a firebomb over to remove them.
Now you need to link all the bells with sigil arrows and throw a firebomb to ring them all at once.
Goddess Falls Nornir Chests
For the chest in Goddess Fall, you need to light the three braziers surrounding the chest. For all of these torches, you need to link sigil arrows to bridge the distance between you and the brazier.
The first is just to the right of the chest. Link arrows across the rocks in front of you.
Then the second is to the left on the top of the waterfall. Link arrows down the rocks of the face of the waterfall.
Finally, the third is over to the left on the cliff. This time link arrows along the rock face.
The Plains Nornir Chests
Chest 1
On the northwestern (left-hand) side of the Plains there's a locked gate clouded in poison.
To get through the gate blocked by poison you need to change the time of day to night and go through the gate guarded by the ogre in the middle of the area. Then continue straight on until you see a chest - defeat Vali the Oath Keeper and you will have a vantage point to freeze the poison totem.
The first seal to unlock the chest is also in Vali’s boss arena, I accidentally destroyed it while fighting him, so it should be visible.
Return to the gate and defeat the seithr guarding the chest on the right-hand side of the battlefield, then destroy the remaining seals around this battlefield to claim the chest.
Chest 2
On the eastern (right-hand) side of the Plains there's a Nornir Chest in front of the Canyon at the top of this area. To open it you need to ring the three bells.
The first bell is to the left of the chest.
Then the second bell is to the right of the chest.
Finally, the third bell is on top of the rock behind the chest. Go around to the right and defeat the Seithr on top of the wall to get an angle to burn them, then go to chest level to hit the three with your axe.
The Sinkholes Nornir Chests
Chest 1
In the east of the crater in Vanaheim, under the zipwire as you slide into the Sinkholes, you need to light the three braziers to open the chest.
The first brazier is to the left of the chest over the cave.
The second is to the right of the chest.
The third is above you. To get to it, climb up the ledge to the right of the chest to get an angle, then link sigil arrows and explode them to light the fire. It can be finicky, but it's possible.
Chest 2
After you’ve returned water to the crater, during the Return of the River Favour in the Jungle (there's a map screen of where the Jungle is below if you've not found it), you can follow a dragon by going south along the river, rolling the chain to open the gate then changing the time of day to remove the blockage.
Continue to follow the path past the dragon and draugr until you finally reach the chest. You need to destroy the 3 idols simultaneously to break the rune seal. The first is behind you on the pillar.
The second is on top of the pillar on the right.
Then the third is far over to the right overlooking the vantage point where the dragon was just breathing fire on you.
The Jungle Nornir Chest
The Jungle is found to the south of the Plains, through the temple on the other side of the canyon.
After you’ve returned the water to the Jungle in the Return the River Favour, sail across to the middle of the jungle and the Chest is next to the mystic gateway. You need to spin the three mechanisms to show three runes. The first spinner is to the right of the chest. Spin it to show the rune that looks like "E".
Next, use the celestial altar behind you. The second spinner is also behind you, covered in burnable vines. As you interact with it, spin it twice to the second rune that looks like an "n".
Finally, grapple up to the right of the second spinner then turn around, the third spinner is high up on the celestial altar structure. Spin it to show the rune that looks like a "B".
Midgard Nornir Chests
Unlike the other realms, all four of the Nornir Chests in Midgard are available to collect during your first visit as Kratos during the main story. However, they are generally located in specific side areas and can therefore be difficult to find.
Around the Lake of Nine, they're found in the Oarsmen to the north, the Lost Treasury to the southwest, the Raider Hideout in the east and the Well of Urd in the northwest.
The Oarsmen Nornir Chest
The Oarsmen is accessible in the north of the Lake of Nine area by lifting the boulder to enter the area you first visted as Atreus during his escapades with Sindri. The area's name refers to the giant statue looming over the lake.
As you descend the stairs into The Oarsmen, the Nornir Chest is almost directly in front of you and to open it you need to ring the three nearby bells in quick succession.
The first is in a hole in the wall to the left of the chest.
The second bell is 360 behind you as you face the chest, next to the stairs across the gap.
Then the final bell is behind a sound stone breakable barrier in the middle of the room.
To access it, climb the wall behind the chest and complete this leg of the Sigrun’s Curse favour that started as you entered, pulling the giant chains to reveal another staircase on the other side of the area that allows you to get around the blockage and destroy the barrier.
The Lost Treasury Nornir Chest
The Lost Treasury is in the southwest of the Lake of Nine and tasks you with lighting three braziers around the building to claim the Nornir Chest in front of it.
The first brazier is up on top of the treasury when you climb up the golden shield onto the roof, destroy the flaming pot and climb through the hole left by the blast.
Next, the second is on the front of the treasury, behind the shield when it’s shunted to the left. Use linked sigil arrows to light it.
Finally, the third brazier is inside the door immediately to your right as you enter after you've solved the puzzle. If you've not already done this, you need to shunt the shield to the right, climb it up onto the roof then destroy the pot you find there. Then climb back down, shunt the shield to the left and climb it back up onto the roof on this side. Go back over to the other side where you detonated the pot and slide the broken pillar off the roof with your Blades. Then shunt the shield over to the right again, go back to the wheel at the front and roll it all the way to open the gate. Shoot a sigil arrow at the target on the right-hand side of the door, then freeze it with your axe. Then recall your axe, throw it at the target on the left-hand side and run through the door before it closes.
Raider Hideout Nornir Chest
At the Raider Hideout in the eastern corner of the Lake of Nine, once you defeat the enemies inside you can light the three braziers to claim a Nornir Chest.
Unlike most of the brazier puzzles, you light these using the firebomb dispenser in the middle of the room. The first brazier is to the left of the chest. Light the vines with a quick Sigil arrow and Blades combo, then the brazier is behind them.
The second torch to light is behind the golden rocks to the right of the chest. This time, use the firebombs from the middle of the room to remove them, then lob another in the revealed room to light the brazier.
Finally, the third brazier is at the far end of the cave next to the front stairs you came in down. To light it, lob a firebomb at the pillar. You don't have to be too accurate, the blast is quite big.
Well of Urd Nornir Chest
This chest is found in the northwest of the Lake of Nine, while you’re on the trail of the Norns, you need to light the three braziers on the side of the mountain to get the Nornir Chest at its foot.
As you climb the icy cliffs, the first brazier is 360 behind you from the chest.
The second is visible on the rocks as you climb.
Finally, the third is immediately to your left before you slice through and squeeze through the crack in the rocks.
Muspelheim Nornir Chests
There are two Nornir Chests in Muspelheim, but both are accessed in completely different ways. You can get to The Crucible through a Mystic Gateway as soon as you complete the Muspelheim realm seed (we have a page on where to find that too).
As for the Burning Cliffs, this location is visited late-on in God of War Ragnarok's story. Continue progressing and you should come across it eventually.
The Crucible Nornir Chest
When you earn the right to go to Muspelhiem, the first Nornir chest is right behind the shop by the Mystic Gateway.
Unlike the other chests, to open it you need to go further into the realm and find the giant swords which give out combat challenges. These are marked with the same runes as the chests. Complete the challenges to open the chest.
The Burning Cliffs Nornir Chest
You find this Nornir Chest on the main story path to your right when you go through with Kratos and Atreus. You need to light the three braziers after smashing the rock with your spear to access.
The first brazier is above the chest.
The second and third are 360 behind you. Light second with linked sigil arrows from vantage point on the left.
Then light the third by linking from third to second - a sigil arrow on the lit flame will make it spark. If you're finding it tricky, try returning to the vantage point back in front of the chest.
