Learn how to unlock fast travel in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Complete guide to the Pharloom Bellways system, Bell Beast boss fight, and all 10 fast travel locations across Pharloom.
Master Pharloom’s Travel Network (And Save Hours of Backtracking)
Fast travel in Hollow Knight: Silksong works differently than you might expect, especially if you’re coming from the original game. While Hollow Knight had the Last Stag willingly helping you traverse Hallownest, Silksong’s Bell Beasts require a more… aggressive negotiation approach.
After extensively mapping Pharloom’s travel network, I’ll show you exactly how to unlock the Bellways system, defeat the Bell Beast boss, and efficiently discover all 10 fast travel points that will transform your exploration experience from tedious backtracking into strategic movement across the kingdom.
Also Read: How to Complete the Flexile Spines Quest in Hollow Knight: Silksong (Full Guide)
Understanding Silksong’s Multi-Layered Travel System
Three Types of Movement Enhancement
Silksong doesn’t rely on a single travel method. Instead, it offers multiple transportation systems that work together:
1. Local Shortcuts
- Elevators connecting major areas (like Moss Grotto to Bone Bottom)
- Unlockable passages that create permanent connections
- Environmental routes opened by new abilities
2. Pharloom Bellways (Primary Fast Travel)
- 10 Bell Beast stations across Pharloom
- Instant travel between any discovered locations
- Requires initial boss fight to unlock the system
3. Ventrica Stations (Late Game)
- Advanced travel system within the Citadel
- End-game content for final area navigation
- Specialized routes for specific late-game challenges
Strategic insight: Early game focuses on shortcuts and local connections, mid-game opens up Bellways for major traversal, and late game adds Ventrica for specialized movement.
Step-by-Step: Unlocking the Bellways System
Prerequisites You Need First
Before attempting to unlock fast travel, ensure you have:
- Completed the Moss Mother boss fight
- Reached Bone Bottom and established your base
- Basic combat skills developed (you’ll need them for the Bell Beast)
- Some exploration experience in The Marrow area
Phase 1: Navigate to Mosshome
Starting from Bone Bottom:
- Head right into The Marrow (the rocky, cave-like area)
- Progress through the linear path until you encounter Shakra (the map merchant)
- From Shakra’s location, go left, then climb upward
- Enter Mosshome – the sub-zone within Moss Grotto
Navigation tip: Mosshome feels different from the main Marrow areas – it’s more organic and overgrown. If you’re seeing lots of moss and plant life, you’re in the right place.
Phase 2: Unlock the Elevator Shortcut
Before proceeding to the Bell Beast, secure your retreat route:
- Get onto the platforms in the Mosshome room
- Navigate to the far left and hit the lever
- This unlocks a permanent elevator back to Bone Bottom
- Test the elevator to confirm it works (you’ll appreciate this later)
Why this matters: The elevator shortcut becomes crucial for resource management and quick returns to Bone Bottom’s shops and bench.
Phase 3: Acquire the Silkspear Ability
The Silkspear is mandatory for freeing the Bell Beast:
- From the lever area, head upward into the trap-filled room
- Navigate carefully through the environmental hazards
- Look for the Weaver symbol – it’s distinctive and glowing
- Interact with the symbol to acquire Silkspear
Silkspear mechanics:
- Long-range piercing attack that consumes Silk
- Can hit multiple targets in a straight line
- Essential for breaking Bell Beast bindings simultaneously
Practice opportunity: Test the Silkspear on nearby enemies to understand its range and Silk cost before the boss fight.
Phase 4: Locate and Free the Bell Beast
Finding the Bell Beast chamber:
- Backtrack from the Weaver symbol area
- Look for the signpost with three rightward-pointing chevrons
- This sign is above Shakra’s room – use it as your landmark
- Go right from the chevron sign to find the Bell Beast
Freeing the Beast:
- The Bell Beast is bound by multiple silk strands
- Use Silkspear to break ALL bindings simultaneously
- Partial breaking won’t work – you need complete liberation
- Position yourself for maximum strand coverage with one Silkspear cast
Bell Beast Boss Fight Strategy
Understanding the Attack Patterns
The Bell Beast fight is Silksong’s first major skill check for sustained combat. Mastering this fight prepares you for much tougher encounters later.
Attack Pattern 1: Bell Drop
- Bell Beast hovers and drops bell-shaped projectiles
- Strategy: Stay mobile and watch for shadow indicators
- Safe zones: Directly under the Beast is often safest
Attack Pattern 2: Charging Slam
- Beast charges horizontally across the arena
- Strategy: Jump over the Beast as it approaches
- Timing: Start your jump when the Beast begins moving
Attack Pattern 3: Leap Attack
- High jump followed by ground slam
- Strategy: Position yourself under the Beast’s starting position
- Safe zone: Where the Beast was before jumping
Combat Tips for Success
Aggressive positioning:
- Stay close to the Bell Beast rather than retreating
- Close combat makes attack patterns more predictable
- Distance fighting increases difficulty unnecessarily
Healing opportunities:
- Use Bind during attack recovery phases
- Mid-air healing works well between attack cycles
- Don’t heal during active attack sequences
Damage optimization:
- Focus on consistent hits rather than risky burst damage
- Learn the safe windows for multi-hit combos
- Patience wins over aggressive overcommitment
Also Read: 7 Game-Changing Tips Every Hollow Knight: Silksong Beginner Needs to Know
Post-Victory: Accessing the Bellways Network
The Dream Sequence
After defeating the Bell Beast:
- You’ll enter a dream-like area with surreal platforming
- Navigate upward through the shifting landscape
- Collect the Silk Heart at the top – this expands your Silk capacity
- Hornet awakens back in the boss room with fast travel unlocked
Using Your New Fast Travel System
Activating Bellways travel:
- Stand on the platform next to the defeated Bell Beast
- Interact to open the travel menu
- Select any discovered Bellway location
- Travel is instantaneous
Discovering new Bellway stations:
- Look for the three-chevron signs throughout Pharloom
- Each sign marks a potential fast travel point
- Simply approaching a new Bellway adds it to your network
- 10 total locations exist across the entire kingdom
Strategic Applications of Fast Travel
Resource Management Optimization
Fast travel transforms resource management in Silksong:
Efficient shopping routes:
- Quick returns to Bone Bottom for supplies and upgrades
- Access multiple merchants across different areas in minutes
- Comparison shopping becomes practical for expensive items
Healing and save management:
- Fast access to familiar benches in safe areas
- Strategic retreats during difficult exploration
- Risk reduction for challenging platforming sections
Exploration Strategy Changes
With fast travel unlocked:
Non-linear progression:
- Jump between areas based on current abilities
- Return to previous areas with new skills for hidden content
- Flexible exploration rather than forced linear progression
Quest and collection efficiency:
- Multi-area quests become manageable
- Backtracking for missed items is no longer punishing
- Collection completion becomes a reasonable goal
Advanced Fast Travel Tips
Bellway Station Priorities
High-value early discoveries:
- Bone Bottom (your primary hub)
- Major area entrances for quick exploration access
- Merchant locations for efficient shopping
Exploration-focused stations:
- Central hub areas within large zones
- Connection points between different regions
- Areas near challenging platforming or boss fights
Integration with Other Travel Methods
Combine systems for maximum efficiency:
- Use shortcuts for local area navigation
- Use Bellways for cross-kingdom travel
- Plan routes that leverage both systems
Example efficient route:
- Fast travel to area entrance via Bellways
- Use local shortcuts for specific destinations
- Return via fast travel when objectives complete
Looking Ahead: Late Game Travel
Ventrica Stations Preview
Later in Silksong, you’ll unlock Ventrica stations within the Citadel:
- Specialized travel system for end-game areas
- Different mechanics from Bellways
- Advanced movement options for final challenges
Preparation strategy: Master the Bellways system first, as Ventrica builds on these foundational travel concepts.
Your Pharloom Travel Network is Complete
Unlocking fast travel in Silksong transforms your exploration experience from linear progression to strategic kingdom navigation. The Bell Beast fight might seem intimidating, but mastering it opens up Pharloom’s full potential for efficient exploration and quest completion.
Quick unlock checklist:
- ✅ Reach Mosshome via The Marrow
- ✅ Unlock elevator shortcut to Bone Bottom
- ✅ Acquire Silkspear from Weaver symbol
- ✅ Locate Bell Beast using three-chevron signpost
- ✅ Break all silk bindings simultaneously with Silkspear
- ✅ Defeat Bell Beast boss using proper positioning
- ✅ Complete dream sequence and collect Silk Heart
- ✅ Access Bellways network for instant travel
The kingdom of Pharloom is now truly yours to explore. Happy travels through the silk and song!
Related Article: Your First 2 Hours in Hollow Knight: Silksong – Essential Beginner’s Roadmap
Hollow Knight Silksong Official Game Link
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