Now that Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally here in 2026, I have been diving into every corner of Pharloom. Honestly, after my time in Deepnest back in the original Hollow Knight, I was ready to hate whatever skittering nightmare the sequel threw at me next. When I dropped into the Wormways, I braced for the worst—a cramped, winding tunnel network full of creepy crawlies. To my surprise, Team Cherry actually showed mercy this time. The Wormways are far smaller and more forgiving than the depths of Deepnest. That does not mean the area is skippable, though. It hides numerous upgrades, collectibles, and side quests that a thorough adventurer will not want to miss. Here is how my own run through the tunnels went, and what I learned along the way.

My First Drop Into the Tunnels

My first encounter with the Wormways came when I dropped through the western Shellwood exit. I later discovered there are two main entrances—one above and one below—but I strongly suggest entering from the top first. That path leads directly to Shakra, the map merchant, who will make the maze-like passages much easier to navigate. The map costs 70 Rosaries, and it is worth every bead. In the room just before Shakra, I also picked up a Dead Bug’s Purse, a fantastic safety net if you tend to lose your Rosaries after death. On a Steel Soul run, that item is replaced by the Shell Satchel.

🔑 A Simple Key Opens the Lower Half

Near the bottom of the main vertical chamber, a locked door blocked the other half of the Wormways. I learned the hard way that a Simple Key is nearly essential here. You can buy one from the merchant in Bone Bottom for 500 Rosaries, or you can grab a free one from Sinner’s Road. Once I had it, the entire lower section opened up, revealing many of the area’s secrets.

🧪 Meeting Professor Zylotol and Side Quests

Hidden near the top of the Wormways, Professor Zylotol waits in his private chamber. He offered me a quest called Alchemist’s Assistant: extract three phials of Plasmium from the cocoons growing nearby. After collecting them, I received a Plasmium phial, which can be injected for a bit of extra health. This was a lifesaver during some of the tougher fights that followed.

🔬 Advanced Alchemy and the Blue Infection

When I returned in Act 3, the entire Wormways had changed. The area was bathed in a blue tint, infected with Lifeblood—or Plasmium—and the local creatures had become corrupted. Professor Zylotol had another request: gather ten corrupted blood samples. Using the same phial, I had to strike enemies at just the right moment to collect their blood. The timing can be tricky, but if you struggle, head to the bottom left of the area. There you will find Professor Zango, a miniboss who is surprisingly simple and provides plenty of samples. Returning to Zylotol awarded me an item that grants unlimited Plasmium, meaning I never had to pay for refills again.

🗡️ Weavenest Karn and Sharpdart

Once I had the Needolin and the Clawline ability, I headed to the far west of the Wormways. Weavenest Karn is a super short area with only a few jumps and enemies, but the reward at the back is incredible: the Sharpdart ability. This quickly became my favorite silk skill in the game. It lets you dash through enemies while hitting them multiple times. Pairing it with the Volt Filament melts flying grouped enemies, like those in the High Halls Gauntlet fight. I even found I could make the jump in front of the main entrance without the Faydown Cloak, as long as my timing was good.

💎 Collectibles I Almost Missed

The Wormways also hide a handful of collectibles that are easy to walk past.

Mask Shard

In the area just below the door where I inserted the Simple Key, there is a breakable wall with a Mask Shard behind it. Even better, you can grab this very early in the game, before you even have the key.

Lost Flea

Right above the locked trapdoor, near the Simple Key door, I found a breakable wall on the eastern side of the large vertical room. Breaking it and passing through the following chamber revealed a lost flea who needed help.

Memory Locket

In the large chamber to the southwest, a long series of tunnels leads to a Memory Locket at the end.

Beast Shard

The final surprise was a massive Craggler in the long eastern corridor past the south entrance. I had sprinted past him on my first visit, but returning to fight him was absolutely worth it. I hid beneath the platforms while he spat, then popped out for rapid jump strikes. Cogfly or Wispfire lantern can add free damage. After enough hits, he exploded and dropped a Beast Shard, bringing my crafting total to 140 shards. Clearing that room also caused a new enemy, the Cragglite, to spawn—you will need those for the Hunter’s Journal later.

The Wormways may look intimidating at first glance, but with a map, a Simple Key, and a little preparation, it quickly becomes one of the most rewarding early areas in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Between the Plasmium rewards, Sharpdart, and the hidden collectibles, I left the tunnels far stronger than when I entered—and, to my relief, far less traumatized than Deepnest ever made me.

Exploring areas like the Wormways reminded me why this genre is so special—the thrill of uncovering a hidden room, nailing a tricky jump, or finally beating a tough enemy is genuinely unmatched. Hollow Knight: Silksong rewards patience and curiosity in ways that few other games manage, and every new ability opens up even more of the map to explore and enjoy.

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