Zelda: Link's Awakening - Western Tal Tal Mountains, fire cave and Stone Dragon mini-boss strategy
How to reach the eighth dungeon and navigate the rest of the Tal Tal Mountains.
Finding your way through Western Tal Tal Mountains allows you to reach Zelda: Link's Awakening's eighth dungeon, Turtle Rock.
Straight after you complete the Eagle's Tower you have to make your way through the fire cave and take on a stone dragon mini-boss.
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If you're looking for more assistance, our Zelda: Link's Awakening walkthrough can help.
Where to start exploring Western Tal Tal Mountains
To reach the eighth dungeon, Turtle Rock, you need to return to Tal Tal Mountain Range at the top of the map. Start more back to where you would have jumped off to reach the fourth dungeon Angler's Tunnel, and head up the ladder in the direction to where you got the Bird Key.
Instead of going into the cave, head up the stairs to reach the Henhouse Keeper's hut (it's worth going inside to be reassured of the fate of a previous companion).
You'll want to west from here, using the hookshot to take you over the bridge, and again when Marin needs rescuing, scooping her up as you go.
Continue west, down the stairs and through the tunnel (bomb the south cracked wall as you go for an easy Heart Piece) to a mountain range with falling rocks.
At the top, you can move the rock in the lower left to reveal a staircase leading to someone who can upgrade your Magic Powder stocks (use Magic Powder on the altar to reveal it).
To continue, head west and jump off the cliff. Work your way round the rocks, bomb the wall and head into the cave.
How to get past the fire cave
Enter the cave entrance to come to a torrent of fire blocking the route forward. Hold out the Mirror Shield you received from the last dungeon Eagle's Tower to defend against it, allowing you to move on and pass by without harm.
When you emerge, pick up the rock on the right to get the Western Tal Tal Mountains warp point, and proceed west until you reach a stone dragon in the wall.
Use your Ocarina and play the Frog's Song of Soul to awaken it and start a boss fight.
Our Zelda: Link's Awakening walkthrough and guide can help you with the critical path, including the Eagle's Tower and Turtle Rock dungeons. There's plenty to be done on the side, too - including Zelda Link's Awakening Heart Pieces, Zelda Secret Seashells and the Zelda Link's Awakening trading sequence. Finally, there's also the new Zelda Chamber Dungeons feature to unlock and complete.
Stone Dragon boss
The Stone Dragon packs a punch, but its attacks are simple and predictable.
The first phase can only be damaged with bombs. The easiest way to do this is to hold a bomb while its head is swinging left and right, and when it's charging to attack, throw it behind it. By the time it attacks, the bomb should detonate.
After enough of those, its skin will be exposed. You now have to change your strategy a little; when its charging up to attack, which the only time it is still and the same height as you, go in and swipe with your sword. Repeat this until it's dead - which might take a while with the amount of health it has.
If you get caught out, raise your shield - it should block all attacks. Also, there will be bird of prey that can come down from the shoulders to attack. Focus on these - you need to hit them with your sword as they are swooping down - but once both are defeated you don't have to worry about any more.
With the Stone Dragon defeated, it's time to take on the Turtle Rock dungeon.