Discover all 4 Bilewater bench locations in Hollow Knight: Silksong with our complete guide. Includes hidden spots, traps to avoid, and essential tips for safe exploration.
TL;DR
Bilewater contains 4 benches total: one at the Bell Beast station (easy to find), one in the Exhaust Organ (requires Needolin), one hidden at the top behind a breakable wall (needs double jump), and the final one unlocked after defeating Groal the Great. Watch out for the fake trap bench that drops you into toxic pools!
When you’re deep in the toxic, atmospheric depths of Bilewater in Hollow Knight: Silksong, finding a safe place to rest becomes absolutely crucial. This corrupted area is unforgiving, and knowing where every bench is located can mean the difference between progress and frustration.
Bilewater stands out as one of Silksong’s most challenging early areas, with its poisonous atmosphere and treacherous terrain. Having explored this region thoroughly, I can tell you that some of these benches are genuinely well-hidden, while others serve as welcome relief points during intense exploration sessions.
Essential Items You’ll Need
Before diving into bench locations, make sure you have:
- Double jump ability (Faydown Cloak)
- Needolin skill for mist traversal
- Bilewater map (highly recommended)
All 4 Bilewater Bench Locations
Bench #1: Bell Beast Station (Easy Find)
Location: Main Bell Beast station room
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
This is your introduction to Bilewater’s rest points. The area’s signage actually guides you directly here, making it the most accessible bench. If you’re just entering Bilewater, the directional signs will lead you straight to this safe haven.
Pro tip: This bench serves as an excellent base camp for your initial Bilewater exploration. Stock up on supplies here before venturing deeper.
Bench #2: The Exhaust Organ (Skill Required)
Location: Inside the Exhaust Organ structure
Requirements: Needolin ability
Difficulty: Intermediate
Here’s where things get interesting. Exit the Bell Beast station and head left until you spot a breakable wall. Smash through it to access the mysterious Mist area. At the far end, you’ll discover the imposing Exhaust Organ structure.
Once inside, navigate up and left to activate this hidden bench. The Exhaust Organ itself is a fascinating piece of Silksong’s world-building – this industrial structure hints at the area’s toxic past while providing essential respite.
Important: Without Needolin, you simply cannot traverse the Mist safely. Make sure you’ve unlocked this essential movement ability first.
Bench #3: The Hidden Heights (Map Recommended)
Location: Near Bilewater’s upper reaches
Requirements: Double jump, Bilewater map (strongly advised)
Difficulty: Advanced
This is where experienced players separate from newcomers. Located high in Bilewater’s upper section, this bench requires both platforming skills and careful navigation. You’ll need to smash through another breakable wall – but here’s the crucial part: make sure you’re hitting the right wall.
Critical Warning: During your ascent, you’ll encounter signs pointing toward what appears to be another bench. Do NOT trust these signs! This is actually a cleverly placed trap that will drop you into a pool of infectious liquid. It’s one of Silksong’s more devious tricks, and even veteran Hollow Knight players can fall for it.
The real bench is tucked away behind the breakable wall near the top. Having the Bilewater map makes this significantly easier to locate.
Bench #4: Victory Reward (Boss Required)
Location: Unlocked after defeating Groal the Great
Requirements: Defeat the area boss
Difficulty: Boss fight dependent
Your final Bilewater bench comes as a reward for conquering Groal the Great, the area’s intimidating boss. This serves as both a checkpoint and a satisfying conclusion to your Bilewater journey.
Groal represents a significant difficulty spike, so make sure you’re properly prepared with upgraded equipment and plenty of healing items before attempting this encounter.
Essential Bilewater Survival Tips
Navigation Strategies:
- Always prioritize getting the area map early – it transforms navigation from guesswork into strategy
- Mark discovered benches on your mental map for quick reference
- Use the fast travel system once available
Safety Considerations:
- Stock up on healing items before extended exploration
- The toxic atmosphere gradually drains health – don’t linger unnecessarily
- Always test suspicious benches carefully (remember the trap!)
Planning Your Bilewater Route
For optimal exploration efficiency, I recommend this progression:
- Start with Bench #1 – establish your base camp
- Secure the area map – essential for navigation
- Unlock Bench #2 – requires Needolin preparation
- Attempt Bench #3 – challenging but rewarding
- Face Groal – final boss and Bench #4
What Makes Bilewater Special
Bilewater isn’t just another area in Silksong – it’s a masterclass in atmospheric design. The industrial decay, toxic pools, and hidden passages create an environment that feels genuinely dangerous. Each bench becomes a precious sanctuary in this hostile landscape.
The area serves as an excellent skill check for players, requiring mastery of movement abilities, environmental awareness, and resource management. Successfully navigating Bilewater and finding all its benches proves you’re ready for Silksong’s greater challenges ahead.
Ready to Explore Further?
Once you’ve mastered Bilewater’s benches, you might want to tackle other challenging areas. Check out our guides for Greymoor progression or learn about essential beginner tips to enhance your overall Silksong experience.
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Remember: in Bilewater’s toxic depths, every bench is a lifeline. Master their locations, and you’ll conquer one of Silksong’s most challenging early areas with confidence.
