Golden Lynels are mini bosses in The Legend Of Zelda: Breath of the Wild that are only found in the game's Master Mode — a part of The Master Trials DLC.
There are 23 Lynels in Breath of the Wild, and they scale up in difficulty as you defeat monsters. When you've defeated enough other enemies, 19 of the 23 Lynels will become Gold in Master Mode. The exceptions are the Lynels at the First and Second Gatehouse in Hyrule castle, Ploymous, and the Great Plateau — these Lynels never become Gold.
Updated April 12, 2023 by Rebecca Phillips: Taking on Lynels is always a challenge in Breath of the Wild, and you can really test your combat skills by taking on the Golden Lynels in Master Mode. To help you do just that, we've updated this guide with clearer images so you can find all the Lynels easily.
There are no Golden Lynels in Eldin or Necluda.
Akkala
Akkala Wilds
- Before Gold: Blue Mane
- Weapon: Spear
- Arrows: Shock
The best way to reach the Akkala Wilds is by fast-traveling to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and heading west.
The Zuna Kai Shrine on Skull Lake may look closer, but it would require you to scale a few significant cliffs before reaching the target.
North Akkala Valley
- Before Gold: Blue Mane
- Weapon: Sword
- Arrows: Fire
A little further south, a Lynel patrols the North Akkala Valley. This is one you run into on your own since it's between you and Skull Lake (not to mention quite close to the Spring of Power).
You could travel to the Akkala Ancient Lab to reach the boss, but the Katosa Aug Shrine near the stable is closer.
Central Hyrule
Coliseum Ruins
- Before Gold: Red Mane
- Weapon: Sword
- Arrows: Shock
The most direct route to the Coliseum is to start from the Kaam Ya'tak Shrine and head south across the Aquame Bridge.
If you're missing that shrine, the Roota Ooh Shrine is also fairly close.
The Lynel in the Coliseum is an outlier — this one scales depending on how many divine beasts you have freed, not your count of defeated enemies. Once you free all four divine beasts, the Coliseum Lynel becomes golden.
Deplian Badlands
- Before Gold: White Mane
- Weapon: Crusher
- Arrows: Shock
Several Lynel are hiding on the ledges behind the mountains in the far south. The first is the one in the middle of the Deplian Badlands.
It may not be easy to reach — the closest Shrine is the Ketoh Wawai Shrine in the middle of a dark island.
Whether you take your chances or not is up to you, but the next closest shrines are a considerable walk away from your destination.
East Deplian Badlands
- Before Gold: White Mane
- Weapon: Sword
- Arrows: Shock
Another Lynel hiding in the south is in the far east of the East Deplian Badlands.
The Ketoh Wawai Shrine is close, but you could also start from the Shora Hah Shrine on the Isle of Rabac, or the Gorae Torr Shrine on Gut Check Rock.
Drenan Highlands
- Before Gold: White Mane
- Weapon: Spear
- Arrows: Shock
The final Lynel hiding in the back here is in the Drenan Highlands, slightly further south. Once again, the nearest shrine is the Ketoh Wawai Shrine at the Thyphlo Ruins.
There's another option to reach this Lynel, apart from the Ketoh Wawai Shrine at the Thyphlo Ruins.
Instead, you could travel northeast from the Forgotten Temple.
It's not an excellent option since the region is treacherous with Guardians and some backtracking would be required, but the choice is yours.
Rowan Plain
- Before Gold: Blue Mane
- Weapon: Spear
- Arrows: Fire
The Lynel in the Rowan Plain is to the southeast, just below the Aldor Foothills. There's a lot of space to maneuver while fighting here, and a stable nearby to cook or sleep before your battle.
The closest shrine is the Monya Toma Shrine, though there are plenty of other options if you don't have that one.
Faron
Southern Oseira Plains
- Before Gold: Red Mane
- Weapon: Crusher
- Arrows: Shock
This Golden Lynel is in the southern part of the Oseira Plains, just before you'd reach the Nautelle Wetlands.
The Ishto Soh Shrine is the closest by far, and you can just glide off to the southeast and spot the Lynel from above.
If you haven't unlocked that shrine, then the Suma Sahma Shrine is close too, just a little further west.
Though the Lake Tower looks closest as a last resort, it'll be annoying to get over the hill. Instead, try the Owa Daim Shrine a bit further north.
Northern Oseira Plains
- Before Gold: Red Mane
- Weapon: Spear
- Arrows: Shock
The second Lynel in the Oseira Plains is towards the north, just before you'd reach the Taobab Grassland.
Again, the Ishto Soh Shrine or the Suma Sahma Shrine would be your closest bets to reaching this boss.
If you haven't been to this region before, the path of least resistance is to travel from the Owa Daim Shrine south through the Taobab Grassland — so you might encounter the Lynel whether you want to or not.
Kamah Plateau
- Before Gold: Red Mane
- Weapon: Spear
- Arrows: Shock
The Lynel in the Kamah Plateau sits between the Kamah Plateau, Mount Floria, the Keelay Plain, and the Riola Spring.
The closest shrine is the Shoda Sah Shrine; from there, you just need to travel almost directly east to find it.
You should prepare some Electro Elixirs in advance for the undesirable weather conditions that are common in this region.
Gerudo
Laparoh Mesa
- Before Gold: Blue Mane
- Weapon: Crusher
- Arrows: Shock
The Laparoh Mesa Lynel is in the snowy mountains just north of the Gerudo Desert. Its closest shrine is the Kuh Takkar Shrine.
From there, you should travel almost directly north, towards the highest point of this particular hill.
If you're missing the Kuh Takkar Shrine, just use whatever else you have available — the Sho Dantu Shrine is southwest of this area.
As a last resort, there's always Gerudo Tower.
Gerudo Summit
- Before Gold: White Mane
- Weapon: Spear
- Arrows: Normal
In the mountains that border the Gerudo Desert, another Lynel lurks. This one has its own little arena at the top of the Gerudo Summit.
The closest teleport is the Keeha Yoog Shrine. If you're missing it, try the Kuh Takkar Shrine, Sho Dantu Shrine, or Gerudo Tower, further southeast.
Hebra
Tabantha Bridge Stable
- Before Gold: Red Mane
- Weapon: Crusher
- Arrows: Shock
This Lynel lurks surprisingly close to the Hylians at the Tabantha Bridge Stable. To find it, you need only to travel to the stable's associated shrine (the Shae Loya Shrine) and travel directly south over the hill.
Hebra West Summit
- Before Gold: Blue Mane
- Weapon: Crusher
- Arrows: Ice
There's not exactly a direct route from a shrine to get to the Golden Lynel in the Hebra Region. Your best bet is to start from the Maka Rah Shrine and make your way clockwise around the tallest part of the mountain.
If you have enough stamina, you could simply glide over from the top of Rito Village.
Northwest Tabantha Snowfield
- Before Gold: White Mane
- Weapon: Crusher
- Arrows: Ice
There are three Golden Lynels to fight in the North Tabantha Snowfields. The first is to the western side, just before you'd reach a small path that climbs around the back of the mountains.
The Sha Gehma Shrine is ideally placed for fighting these beasts, but it's also in the middle of nowhere, so prepare beforehand.
Central North Tabantha Snowfield
- Before Gold: White Mane
- Weapon: Sword
- Arrows: Fire
The second Lynel in the northern Tabantha Snowfield is right in the middle.
Again, the Sha Gehma Shrine is your go-to teleportation spot, though the Rin Oyaa Shrine further south is available too,.
You may want to take this one on last, as running too far east or west could provoke the other nearby Lynels into joining the action.
Northeast Tabantha Snowfield
- Before Gold: White Mane
- Weapon: Spear
- Arrows: Shock
The final Lynel of the three in the Northern Tabantha Snowfield is on the path to the North Lomei Labyrinth.
The Sha Gehma Shrine is closest to this boss, but it's worth noting that the Labyrinth also provides a shrine once you find your way to the center.
Lanayru
Lodrum Headland
- Before Gold: Blue Mane
- Weapon: Sword
- Arrows: Shock
A bit of a trek may be required to reach the Golden Lynel in the Lodrum Headland.
The Lynel is at the tip of this peninsula, and the nearest fast-travel location is at the Shai Yota Shrine in the Horon Lagoon, north of the peninsula.
Lanayru Road - East Gate
- Before Gold: Red Mane
- Weapon: Sword
- Arrows: Ice
The final Golden Lynel will be found just beyond the eastern gate of the Lanayru Road.
If you have unlocked it, the easiest way to reach this boss is to start from the Jitan Sa'mi Shrine and glide west.
Another option is the Dow Na'eh Shrine in the Lanayru Promenade, but you may want to bring your Zora gear to get through the water.