Assassin's Creed Shadows: All Hidden Trail Locations & Rewards

Hidden Trails in Assassin's Creed Shadows are among the many different activities that award Knowledge Points and loot for completing. Hidden Trails are a Naoe-specific activity, and she is the only one who is able to complete them due to the various parkour, grappling hook points, and climbing that needs to be done to reach the end of the trail. One of these Hidden Trails is actually part of Naoe's personal quest line, and you will end up going down this during the natural progression through the game.

Similar to Horse Archery points, Shrines, and Kofuns in AC Shadows, Hidden Trails are side activities that award Knowledge Points, which are required to increase your Knowledge Rank and give you access to better skills in Assassin's Creed Shadows. There are 10 different Hidden Trail locations in the game, and all of them reward a minimum of 1,000 XP for completing. Each one also awards a piece of Epic-quality gear, which can be utilized quite effectively with the Oni's Fury Legendary amulet and trinket.

All Hidden Trail Locations In AC Shadows

There Are 10 Different Hidden Trails

Hidden Trails in Assassin's Creed Shadows can be found in every major region in the game's expansive open world map. Some of these trails are in somewhat obscure corners of their respective regions while others are very obvious. For example, I found the Path of the Shadows during the course of Naoe's personal quest, though it's possible to track it down and complete it beforehand. The first Hidden Trail you'll come across is likely the Path of Valor in Izumi Settsu, which awards the Tamakichi's Hood. Its counterpart, Tamakichi's Gear, is found on the Path of Wisdom later on.

Hidden Trail	Location	Reward
Path of Valor	Izumi Settsu, Koyana Ruins	Tamakichi's Hood
Path of the Brave	Yamashiro, Eagle's Nest	Hibiki's Gear
Path of Peril	Northwest Harima	Toxic Kusarigama of Malice
Path of Secrets	Yamato, Mizumi Pagoda	Sumire's Hood
Path of Serenity	Southern Yamato	Crimson Tanto of Harm
Path of Wisdom	Wakasa, Hikidan-jo Ruins	Tamakichi's Gear
Path of Shadows	Iga, Nabari Wilds	Yu-no-shin's Gear
Path of Silence	Tamba Highlands	Hibiki's Hood
Path of the Chosen	Kii, Iseji Trails	Yu-no-shin's Hood
Path of the Blade	Omi, Azuchi	Sumire's Gear

Completing a Hidden Trail often entails well-timed grappling point jumps and a good sense of how Naoe's parkour skills work. None of these are particularly difficult to complete, and the rewards for completing them are quite decent if you plan to incorporate AC Shadows' Epic gear into your build. Hidden Trails are demarcated with yellow ribbons and guideposts, and are much easier to complete when it isn't winter - the snow tends to cover the yellow markings at various points. It's also a lot easier to do during the day, as visibility is limited under moonlight.

All Hidden Trail Rewards & Details

Epic Gear Is Highly Effective & Hidden Trails Are Full Of It

Completing these various Hidden Trail locations actually rewards full armor sets for Naoe: the Yu-no-shin, Sumire, and Hibiki, and Tamakichi Epic quality light armor sets. Epic quality armor should not be overlooked during your journey, and it can be enhanced considerably for Naoe with the Oni's Fury trinket, or from the associated engraving, which increases damage per non-Legendary piece of gear equipped. Both Naoe and Yasuke have a version of this effect available to them, so I wouldn't write off Epic gear in general. All of the Hidden Trail rewards are for Naoe in Assassin's Creed Shadows.

Item	Type	Effect
Tamakichi's Hood	Headgear	+1 Health Segment removed on Air Assassinate
Hibiki's Gear	Light Armor	+28% Armor Damage on hitting afflicted enemies
Toxic Kusarigama of Malice	Kusarigama	+1% Affliction Buildup on consecutive hits
Sumire's Hood	Headgear	+1 Health Segment removed on Assassinations at night
Crimson Tanto of Harm	Tanto	+20% damage to enemies above half Health
Tamakichi's Gear	Light Armor	All Tool Affliction Buildup is Bleed
Yu-no-shin's Gear	Light Armor	+2% Affliction Buildup
Hibiki's Hood	Headgear	+1 Health Segment removed on Assassinations with Kunai
Yu-no-shin's Hood	Headgear	+1 Health Segment removed on Double Assassinate
Sumire's Gear	Light Armor	+24% Posture Damage on next hit after using a Tool

Highlights of the various Epic pickups from Hidden Trails in AC Shadows include the Crimson Tanto of Harm, which deals bleed damage and will melt enemies like butter, as well as the Toxic Kusarigama of Malice, which is an incredible Kusarigama for an early poison affliction build for Naoe. Tamakichi's Gear is another excellent bleed affliction item, causing all Tool damage to be Bleed damage. Acquiring this item also unlocks the associated engaving, meaning you can slot the effect on any Legendary or Epic armor you want, including the Tools Master armor.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Ishibutai Kofun Main Chamber with the big tree and naoe looking across

Assassin's Creed Shadows: Ishibutai Kofun Walkthrough

The Ishibutai Kofun in Assassin's Creed Shadows is relatively straightforward, and the prize is among the best legendary trinkets in the game.

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Overall, the rewards for completing the various Hidden Trail locations are all Epic quality, but they can also be build-defining items, especially once you have the non-Legendary gear engraving buff. The additional Knowledge Points and 1,000 XP per Hidden Trail don't hurt either, and are further incentives to complete them. Hidden Trails don't take too long to complete, and while they take you off the beaten path, the rewards are well worth it and are another great reason to explore the far reaches and hidden nooks of Assassin's Creed Shadows.