The Midden is a hidden and mysterious location beneath the College of Winterhold in Skyrim, known for its dark magic, powerful artifacts, and eerie atmosphere. Many players miss it entirely if they don’t explore the college thoroughly, but this dungeon-like area offers some of the most unique experiences in the game. Whether you’re after the Daedric relics like the Atronach Forge, the Pale Blade, or simply want to uncover the lore hidden below Winterhold, finding your way to the Midden is well worth the effort. This guide explains multiple ways to access the Midden, what you can find inside, and how to navigate its secret passages.
Finding the Entrance to The Midden
Location Overview
The Midden is located directly beneath the College of Winterhold. While not part of the main College questline, it’s accessible to any player who has joined the College and completed the short introductory quest. Once inside the College, there are several ways to reach the entrance to The Midden, each requiring only a bit of exploration.
Main Entrance: The Hall of Countenance
One of the most direct paths to The Midden begins in the Hall of Countenance. This building is where most of the college’s mages sleep and live. Once inside, look for a trapdoor in the northern section of the hall. It is tucked away near a wardrobe or shelf and can be easy to miss if you aren’t searching carefully.
- Enter the College of Winterhold courtyard.
- Go into the Hall of Countenance (right-hand door from the courtyard entrance).
- Head to the northern wing, pass the stairwell, and locate a hatch labeled The Midden.
Alternative Entrance: The Hall of Attainment
You can also reach The Midden through the Hall of Attainment. Like the Hall of Countenance, this is a residential building within the college. The entrance here is more hidden and less commonly used, but it connects to the same dungeon.
Third Option: Exterior Trapdoor
For those who have discovered the college from the outside and haven’t started the college questline, there’s also a trapdoor just outside the main courtyard. Walk around the base of the college’s outer wall to find a door embedded into the snow near the edge of the cliff. It’s labeled The Midden just like the interior access points.
What You’ll Find Inside The Midden
The Atronach Forge
One of the most important features of The Midden is the Atronach Forge. This magical structure allows players to craft a variety of items using Daedric ingredients. You can create enchanted weapons, scrolls, soul gems, and even Daedric armor pieces if you discover the proper forge recipes.
To use the Atronach Forge effectively, you’ll need:
- A Sigil Stone (obtained during the Conjuration Ritual Spell quest).
- Specific items such as Daedra Hearts, Void Salts, and Soul Gems.
- Forge Recipes (found throughout Skyrim or near the forge itself).
The forge can be found in the lower section of The Midden. From the main entrance, head down the stone stairs and continue through the hallways until you reach a circular room filled with magical lighting and a summoning altar at the center.
The Midden Dark
Further down from the Atronach Forge lies The Midden Dark, a more secluded and sinister section of the dungeon. This area houses the Daedric Relic known as the Relic Ring Finger, used in the quest Forgotten Names. There’s also the infamous gauntlet, a large hand sculpture on a pedestal, into which you must place specific rings to trigger events.
You may also find:
- Powerful Draugr enemies and undead.
- Dark magical artifacts and cursed items.
- Hidden notes and journals expanding the backstory of the college.
Related Quests and Secrets
Forgotten Names Quest
This unique side quest becomes available once you interact with the Daedric hand sculpture in The Midden Dark. To complete it, you’ll need to find four unique rings scattered around the college and place them on the hand. Once done, you’ll be rewarded with hidden lore and items tied to Daedric worship.
Investigate the Gauldur Legend (Pale Blade)
If you’re following the Gauldur Amulet questline, one segment may bring you to a chamber connected to The Midden, where a fragment of the legendary amulet resides. Be prepared for traps, puzzles, and undead guardians.
Tips for Navigating The Midden
Bring a Light Source
The Midden and The Midden Dark are both poorly lit and filled with tight corridors. Bringing a torch, casting a Candlelight spell, or wearing gear with light enchantments can make exploring safer and easier.
Watch for Enemies
While not as heavily populated as other dungeons, The Midden includes Draugr, skeletons, and possibly atronachs guarding the forge. Enter cautiously and be ready for close-quarters combat.
Mark Your Path
Because The Midden loops around and includes hidden doors, it’s easy to get turned around. Use dropped items or map markers to track where you’ve been. Most rooms are unique, but some passages repeat in design.
Why Visit The Midden?
Crafting High-End Gear
The Atronach Forge is one of the few places in Skyrim where you can craft Daedric gear without smithing level 90. With the Sigil Stone and proper ingredients, it provides access to powerful items well before you’d normally unlock them via smithing skill trees.
Hidden Lore and Secrets
The Midden contains journal entries, skeletal remains, and cursed relics tied to the darker side of the College of Winterhold. These stories are never part of the main questline, but they paint a fuller picture of the college’s hidden history and the price of magical experimentation.
Completing Achievements and Challenges
If you’re a completionist or trophy hunter, The Midden is a required location to explore for various in-game challenges. Finding it helps round out your understanding of Skyrim’s world, while also offering unique encounters and discoveries.
Getting to The Midden in Skyrim may take a bit of exploration, but the rewards are well worth it. With access to the Atronach Forge, dark magical secrets, and powerful Daedric relics, this hidden location beneath the College of Winterhold is essential for players who want to dive deeper into the game’s magical lore. Whether you’re collecting rare items, chasing hidden quests, or simply intrigued by the darker side of the college’s history, The Midden delivers an experience that’s both chilling and rewarding. Take your time, prepare for danger, and you’ll uncover secrets most players never find.