The Wormways might sound like the last place you’d want to spend your afternoon in Pharloom, but trust me – this hidden area is absolutely worth the effort to reach. It’s one of those optional locations that many players stumble past without realizing what they’re missing, packed with useful loot and resources that can give you a solid advantage early in your journey.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know about accessing this intriguing underground network, including some hard-earned tips that’ll save you from the mistakes I made on my first visit.
What Makes the Wormways Worth Your Time?
Before we dive into the how, let’s talk about the why. The Wormways isn’t just another optional area to check off your exploration list – it’s actually a pretty clever early-game investment opportunity.
You’ll find the Dead Bug’s Purse here, which is honestly one of the most underrated tools in the game. This little lifesaver lets you keep some of your Rosaries when you die, which becomes incredibly valuable as you start accumulating more currency for important purchases.
Plus, the area itself is crawling with bugs that you can farm for Silk restoration – perfect for practicing your combat skills while building up resources.
The Simple Key Requirement (And Why It’s Worth It)
Here’s the thing that trips up a lot of players: you absolutely need a Simple Key to access the main Wormways area. I know, I know – spending 500 Rosaries feels like a huge investment when you’re just starting out. But think of it as buying access to a resource farming area that’ll pay for itself pretty quickly.
Getting your Simple Key:
- Head to the vendor in Bone Bottom
- Save up 500 Rosaries (check out our Rosary farming guide if you need help)
- Purchase the key and prepare for your underground adventure
The key opens up not just the Wormways, but also teaches you about resource management – a crucial skill you’ll need throughout your journey in Silksong.
Route 1: The Marrow Path (Recommended for Beginners)
This is probably your best bet if you’re still getting comfortable with Silksong’s movement mechanics. It’s more straightforward and has fewer surprises along the way.
Step-by-step directions:
- Fast travel to Bellway Station in The Marrow
- Head left toward Mosshome
- Interact with the bench, then continue left to exit the area
- Look for the hanging elevator – you’ll need to dash and jump to reach it
- Dash to the far left corner to find the passage entrance
Pro tip: Once you’re inside, immediately duck under the first platform you see. There’s a nasty enemy up there that spits poison for two mask damage – learned that one the hard way! Just sprint across the room and you’ll reach the Simple Key door without any trouble.
The beauty of this route is that it’s fairly linear and doesn’t require any advanced movement techniques beyond basic dashing and jumping.
Route 2: The Shellwood Descent (For Advanced Players)
This path is trickier but can be more efficient if you’re already familiar with the area and comfortable with vertical navigation.
The Shellwood approach:
- Navigate through Shellwood heading consistently left
- Find the drop-down point to Bone Bottom
- Crucial detail: Stay close to the left wall as you float down
- Watch for the passage entrance – it’s easy to miss if you’re not hugging that wall
- Navigate through the bug-filled tunnels to reach the lever room
What to expect inside: The Shellwood route dumps you into the more active part of the Wormways, where you’ll encounter plenty of those traveling bugs. Here’s a neat trick – if you do get hit (and you probably will), keep attacking them to restore your Silk for healing. It’s like a built-in recovery system!
The long vertical room at the end houses the lever that reveals the same Simple Key door from Route 1, so both paths ultimately converge.
Navigating the Wormways Safely
Once you’re inside, the Wormways can feel pretty overwhelming with all those bugs buzzing around. Here’s how to make the most of your visit:
Combat Strategy:
- Don’t try to avoid every bug – use them for Silk restoration
- Practice your combat timing on the smaller enemies
- The bugs are actually great for learning enemy patterns
Exploration Tips:
- Take your time in the vertical sections – rushing leads to unnecessary damage
- Look for hidden passages and tool locations
- The Dead Bug’s Purse is usually in a side area, not on the main path
Resource Management:
- Use this area to practice Silk management
- Farm bugs when your Silk is low
- Don’t forget to rest at benches to save your progress
Why Both Routes Have Their Place
I’ve used both paths extensively, and honestly, they each serve different purposes:
Choose Route 1 when:
- You’re new to the area
- You want a straightforward path with minimal surprises
- You’re low on health and want to avoid unnecessary combat
- You’re still learning Silksong’s movement mechanics
Choose Route 2 when:
- You’re comfortable with vertical navigation
- You want to practice combat while traveling
- You’re already in the Shellwood area
- You enjoy the more exploratory approach
Making the Most of Your Investment
That 500 Rosary investment starts paying dividends immediately once you have the Dead Bug’s Purse. But beyond the tool itself, the Wormways serves as an excellent early-game training ground where you can:
- Practice combat without major consequences
- Learn resource management in a controlled environment
- Build up your Rosary reserves for future purchases
- Explore vertical navigation techniques
Planning Your First Visit
Before heading to the Wormways, consider these preparation steps:
Essential Requirements:
- 500 Rosaries for the Simple Key
- Basic movement abilities (dash, jump)
- Comfortable with simple combat encounters
Recommended Preparation:
- Full health before entering
- Understanding of fast travel systems
- Familiarity with nearby bench locations
Optional But Helpful:
- Some combat experience with smaller enemies
- Knowledge of Silk restoration mechanics
- Patience for exploration and discovery
Beyond Your First Visit
The Wormways isn’t a one-and-done location. Many players find themselves returning here throughout their playthrough for resource farming and skill practice. It’s also connected to several other areas and quest lines that become available as you progress.
The area really showcases Team Cherry’s approach to optional content – nothing here is mandatory, but everything serves a purpose in your overall journey through Pharloom.
Ready to venture into those worm-filled tunnels? Remember, the Simple Key might seem expensive now, but the Dead Bug’s Purse alone makes it worthwhile – not to mention all the exploration and discovery waiting below ground.
Ready to explore more of Pharloom? Pick up Hollow Knight: Silksong on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox and discover all the secrets this incredible world has to offer. For more exploration tips, check out the official Silksong website.
