In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Link will find himself having to solve several puzzles in order to reach the game's most important locations. And though all the game's regions provide Link with a challenge, the Gerudo Desert proves to be especially tricky. Aside from the unforgiving climate, which tests Link every minute he's there, Tears of the Kingdom covers the region with a sandstorm that is extremely difficult to navigate. It is in this environment that Link is tasked with locating several massive red pillars before he can move on to the area's temple.
The three red pillars Link must find are part of the "Riju of Gerudo Town" main quest. He will have to cross the desert, locate each pillar, and do so with only limited help from his map. Luckily, this guide will explain exactly where Link must go to find each of TotK's red pillars.
How to Find the First Red Pillar
The red pillars are part of a much larger puzzle and quest. Find the complete solution in the guide to "Riju of Gerudo Town"
Coordinates: -4056, -3155, 0054
As Link makes his way through Riju's main quest, he'll discover several important facts. First, he'll know - based on the mural he and Riju discuss - that the three red pillars he must find will form a triangle. Second, he'll know that he must begin the search with his back to the throne room. So, to find the first red pillar, Link must head to Riju's throne room and look out over the desert through the opening behind the throne.
Looking out from this area, Link will be able to spot the first pillar peaking out over the top of the sandstorm. If he climbs to the top of the rock above Gerudo Town, near Soryotanog Shrine, he'll be able to paraglide directly there.
How to Find the Second Red Pillar
Coordinates: -4540, -3285, 0031
At the base of the first red pillar, Link will find a breakable section of rock. Destroying this section with a rock hammer - or any other preferred method - will reveal a strong beam of light. Link can follow this beam to the next pillar. Use the exact location depicted in the above image, along with the coordinates listed on the mini-map, to ensure Link is headed to the right place. It is especially important to watch the coordinates because the light does not stop at the pillar, making it easy for Link to pass if he is not careful.
How to Find the Third Red Pillar
Coordinates: -4187, -3629, 0027
When Link arrives at the second tower, he'll need to look for another structure just west of it at roughly -4600, -3276, 0046. This structure will have a wheel that Link can turn to raise the second red pillar, allowing the mirror at the top of it to meet with the light. When this happens, the beam will now point to the third pillar. Follow the light to the exact coordinates given above, and be prepared for the light to once again not meet the tower's mirror.
There will be a wheel on top of the tower that Link can turn, but it is missing its levers. Link must grab a lever from the bottom and bring it to the top in order to line the light with the mirror and complete the triangle, triggering the lightning apparatus to rise in the exact center.
With this complete, Link will be able to move on to the next section of Riju's quest and, eventually, the Lightning Temple itself.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now on Nintendo Switch.