How to Get to Alterac Valley in WoW 1.12.1 (Alliance and Horde)

◆Where Alterac Valley is

Alterac Valley lies hidden deep in the Alterac Mountains in the north of the Eastern Kingdoms. The valley itself is a separate instanced battleground, while in the open world two tunnels lead to it from the snowy southern part of the range, above Hillsbrad Foothills. Inside, the dwarves of the Stormpike Guard hold Dun Baldar and the orcs of the Frostwolf Clan hold Frostwolf Keep. Towers, captains and generals are described on the Alterac Valley wiki page.

The entry level is 51–60: in 1.12.1 the valley has a single bracket, so fresh level 51 characters fight next to fully geared level 60 players.

How to get there as Alliance

The Alliance base is Southshore in southern Hillsbrad Foothills, which has a flight point.

1. Fly by gryphon from Ironforge or Stormwind to Southshore. If you have not discovered it yet, walk through the Wetlands and the Arathi Highlands — the route is described in the guide how to get to Hillsbrad Foothills.
2. Night elves first take the boat from Auberdine to Menethil Harbor and then follow the same route.
3. Leave Southshore on the road heading north toward the mountains.
4. The road climbs into the snowy part of the Alterac Mountains and ends at a tunnel — the Alliance entrance. The road junctions are covered in the guide how to get to the Alterac Mountains.

How to get there as Horde

For the Horde the closest base is Tarren Mill in eastern Hillsbrad Foothills.

1. From Orgrimmar take the zeppelin to Tirisfal Glades and head down into the Undercity.
2. From the Undercity fly by bat to Tarren Mill. If the flight point is not discovered yet, walk south through Silverpine Forest.
3. From Tarren Mill head north and north-east up the slope.
4. The trail leads to the Horde tunnel in the Alterac Mountains, guarded by Frostwolf orcs.

◆Battlemasters and the queue

In 1.12.1 there are two ways to join the queue:

• With a battlemaster in a capital city. Every capital of your faction has them, and each battleground has its own battlemaster. They usually stand together in one place, and a city guard can point you to them.
• At the valley entrance. The tunnel has its own battlemaster who can also put you in the queue.

While you are queued you can keep playing: once a spot opens, the game invites you in. A handy trick is to set your Hearthstone at the inn of Southshore or Tarren Mill so you can return to the mountains quickly after a match.

HearthstoneBinds when picked upUniqueUse: Returns you to your home location. Speak to an Innkeeper in a different place to change your home location.

Route summary table

◆What to do in Alterac Valley

The valley gives honor for the rank system and reputation with the Stormpike Guard or the Frostwolf Clan. Participation also awards Marks of Honor used in battleground quests. Tactics, roles and target order are explained in the Alterac Valley guide, general rules of battle are in the battleground guide, and earning honor and ranks is covered in the PvP honor and rank guide. Reputation rewards are listed in the guides to Stormpike Guard reputation and Frostwolf Clan reputation.

Alterac Valley Mark of HonorBinds when picked upUnique (20)Medal awarded for fighting in Alterac ValleyMax Stack: 20

◆Related guides

• Wiki: Alterac Valley
• Alterac Valley guide
• How to get to the Alterac Mountains
• Flight paths: complete guide
• Travel guide to Azeroth
• Alterac Valley mounts

Ready for a 40 vs 40 battle? Register on WoW x5 and connect to the server — with x5 experience rates the road to level 51 and your first Alterac Valley is much shorter.