World & travel
How to Reach Arathi Highlands in WoW 1.12.1
How to get to Arathi Highlands is a common question once you finish the Wetlands or Hillsbrad Foothills and look for the next level 30-40 zone. This WoW 1.12.1 guide for the WoW x5 server covers the Alliance and Horde routes on foot, the nearest flight paths, dangerous spots along the way and the key landmarks of the zone.
Contents
◆Where Arathi Highlands is
Arathi Highlands lies in southeastern Lordaeron on the Eastern Kingdoms continent. Hillsbrad Foothills borders it to the west, while a deep canyon separates it from the Wetlands to the south — the only way across is Thandol Span. The Hinterlands lie to the north behind the mountains, but there is no direct road there from Arathi. History and subzones are covered on the Arathi Highlands wiki page.
The recommended level is 30-40. The zone is contested: the Alliance base, Refuge Pointe, sits in the middle, and the Horde base, Hammerfall, is in the northeast.
How to get there as Alliance
The main route on foot comes from the south, out of the Wetlands:
- Leave Ironforge to the east into Loch Modan. Players from Stormwind can reach Ironforge on the Deeprun Tram.
- In Loch Modan follow the road north through the Dun Algaz pass into the Wetlands.
- Stay on the road: it runs north, northeast and then turns west. At the fork take the northern branch.
- The road leads to Thandol Span. One of the two bridges is ruined — cross the intact one. Arathi Highlands begins on the other side.
- Follow the road north to Refuge Pointe and talk to the gryphon master right away to unlock the flight path.
Night elves can first take the boat from Auberdine to Menethil Harbor — see the Menethil Harbor guide — and walk the Wetlands road to the bridge from there. If you already have Southshore, you can fly there and walk east along the road through Thoradin's Wall.
Gryphons from Refuge Pointe fly to Ironforge, Thelsamar, Menethil Harbor, Southshore and Aerie Peak.
How to get there as Horde
For the Horde the way leads in from the west, through Hillsbrad Foothills:
- Take the zeppelin from Orgrimmar to Tirisfal Glades and enter the Undercity — details in the Undercity guide.
- From the Undercity head south through Silverpine Forest into Hillsbrad Foothills to Tarren Mill and unlock its flight path.
- From Tarren Mill go east, cross the river and join the main road.
- Follow the road east through Thoradin's Wall — this is the border of Arathi Highlands.
- Keep following the road until a signpost shows a turn north to Hammerfall. Take it and walk up to the camp.
Wind riders from Hammerfall fly to the Undercity, Tarren Mill and Kargath in the Badlands.
Zone entrances and what to watch out for
- Thandol Span is the southern gate of the zone. On the Wetlands side stands Dun Modr, held by Dark Iron dwarves: stay on the bridge and keep moving.
- Thoradin's Wall is the western entrance. The main road from Hillsbrad passes through a breach in the ancient wall.
- Witherbark trolls live in villages in the east of the zone — do not cut through their camps at low level.
- The entrance to the Arathi Basin battleground is right inside Refuge Pointe for the Alliance and just behind Hammerfall for the Horde.
- The ruins of Stromgarde Keep in the southwest are held by the Syndicate and ogres. It is an open-world "micro dungeon" with elite enemies, so bring a group.
Route table
| Route | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance | Thandol Span from the Wetlands | Thoradin's Wall from Hillsbrad |
| Nearest flight path before the zone | Menethil Harbor, Southshore | Tarren Mill |
| Base in the zone | Refuge Pointe (center) | Hammerfall (northeast) |
| Flights from the base | Ironforge, Thelsamar, Menethil, Southshore, Aerie Peak | Undercity, Tarren Mill, Kargath |
| Arathi Basin entrance | Inside Refuge Pointe | Behind Hammerfall |
Always walk the route the first time: a flight path only unlocks after you speak to the flight master in the camp. All connections are listed in the flight paths guide.
◆Why go to Arathi Highlands
Arathi is one of the core zones for levels 30-40: quests against the Boulderfist ogres, the Witherbark trolls and the Syndicate, plus quest chains at Faldir's Cove on the southwestern coast. The quest order is laid out in the Arathi Highlands leveling guide, and the kingdom's history on the Stromgarde page. PvP fans come here for the battleground — see the Arathi Basin guide for tactics.
◆Related guides
A step-by-step route for both factions is in the guide How to get to Hammerfall.
A step-by-step route for both factions is in the guide How to get to Refuge Pointe.
- Azeroth travel guide
- Wetlands leveling
- Hillsbrad Foothills leveling
- How to get to the Hinterlands
- How to get to Alterac Mountains
Ready to head for Arathi Highlands? Create an account on the WoW x5 server and connect to the game — x5 experience will carry you from the Wetlands to Stromgarde Keep in no time.
FAQ
?How does the Alliance get to Arathi Highlands?
From Ironforge go through Loch Modan and the Dun Algaz pass into the Wetlands, then follow the road northeast to Thandol Span. Arathi Highlands starts across the bridge; the Alliance base is Refuge Pointe in the middle of the zone.
?How does the Horde reach Hammerfall?
Fly or walk to Tarren Mill in Hillsbrad Foothills, cross the river to the east, join the main road and follow it through Thoradin's Wall until a signpost points north to Hammerfall.
?Is there a dungeon in Arathi Highlands?
There is no instance in the zone. Instead you will find the ruins of Stromgarde Keep with elite enemies and the entrances to the Arathi Basin battleground for both factions.
?What level is Arathi Highlands?
The zone is meant for levels 30-40. On the WoW x5 server experience comes faster, so players usually arrive straight after the Wetlands or Hillsbrad Foothills.
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