The Complete Gorlek Ore Guide for Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Introduction

Gorlek Ore is the lifeblood of Wellspring Glades, transforming a broken village into a thriving hub. But finding all 40 pieces can feel like a maddening treasure hunt. This guide breaks down every location, from early-game pickups to the final quest-locked ore, so you can rebuild efficiently and never waste time searching blind.

Understanding Gorlek Ore: The Key to Rebuilding Wellspring Glades

So you've been picking up these glowing rocks and wondering what they're for? That's Gorlek Ore, and Grom's the guy who uses them to rebuild Wellspring Glades. Every piece you hand over transforms the hub from a broken mess into a thriving village, and the benefits are actually worth the effort.

Why Gorlek Ore Matters: Building Projects That Actually Help

Here's the full breakdown of what you're constructing, including the brutal ore costs:

Project	Ore Cost	Cumulative Cost	What You Actually Get
Repair the Spirit Well	1	1	Fast travel becomes available
Dwelling Repairs	4	5	Moki start moving back home
Thorny Situation	2	7	Clears those annoying vines, opens the left pit
Roofs Over Heads	6	13	Additional Moki dwellings around the Wellspring Glades area (requires Dwelling Repairs)
Clear the Cave Entrance	6	19	Removes cave-in blocking the left pit (requires Thorny Situation)
Onwards and Upwards	4	23	Even more Moki houses (requires Roofs Over Heads)
The Gorlek Touch	10	33	Purely decorative finishes (requires Clear the Cave Entrance)

Notice how these projects chain together? You can't just build whatever you want - each major upgrade depends on finishing the previous one. The Spirit Well should be your first priority since fast travel changes everything, but after that you're looking at a total of 33 ore to finish the whole village.

The 39/40 Mystery: Hand to Hand Quest Explained

If you're staring at your map, seeing 39/40 Gorlek Ores and feeling pure frustration, you're not alone. Here's the painful truth: that final ore won't even appear until you finish the Hand to Hand quest, which is a massive trade sequence that most players completely miss.

This quest kicks off after you've done the main repair sequence in The Wellspring, and it sends you bouncing across multiple areas trading items between NPCs. It's long, it's easy to lose track of, and there's no waypoint telling you where to go next. The silver lining? Finishing it doesn't just give you that last ore - it shows every single remaining collectible on your world map, which is huge for completionists.

So if you're stuck, stop randomly scouring caves and start tracking down that trade chain instead.

Early Game Gorlek Ore Locations (Regions 1-4)

Inkwater Marsh: 7 Ores

You can pull 7 Gorlek Ores out of Inkwater Marsh, and they're scattered everywhere. The first two come from quests, which makes them easy to grab. Talk to the frightened Moki left of the Spirit Well for A Little Braver - escort him to the hollow stump and he'll hand you ore as thanks. Lupo's Hand-to-Hand delivery chain also starts here; deliver his first parcel to Tokk and you'll get another piece.

Now, the hidden stuff. Beneath the central Moki huts there's a cavern with two spiked wheels. Drop down, sprint past the wheels, and check the far-right wooden platform - that ore's tucked away where most people don't look. There's also a sandy islet with a Burrow cache: once you have the ability, warp to the Spirit Well, head west across two water pools to the loose sand, burrow straight down, then immediately east into a tiny alcove.

If you're feeling acrobatic, the gatehouse before Kwolok's Hollow has ore on its roof. Wall-jump up the left side, then dash off the top to the right and land on a small overgrown platform. The upper-left reservoir also hides one, but you'll need Bash or Dash to reach it - get into that flooded path, use Bash on a projectile-frog (or Dash through the thorn gate) to reach a high ledge where reeds hide the ore at the back wall.

The sneakiest one? After your first monkey-bird encounter, grab the Energy Cell Fragment nearby, then double-jump and dash straight up into the ceiling foliage. There's a hidden alcove that you won't find unless you're specifically looking for it.

Kwolok's Hollow: 2 Ores

Kwolok's Hollow only has 2 ores, but they're a pain because half of them are underwater. The first one is above the first Twillen shop: jump to the small wooden shelf on the left wall, Bash off the purple lantern, then double-jump and dash to a higher lantern to reach a small alcove.

The third one gets wet. After you raise the water for the first time, swim to the right-hand wall of the statue plaza, climb the reeds, and burrow through a half-submerged sandy tunnel. It's a ceiling crawlspace that ends in a pocket with the ore.

Wellspring: 3 Ores

The Wellspring is short on ores - only 3 - but two of them are locked behind abilities. After the first rotating-gear gauntlet, drop to the lower conveyor and look behind the left piston; there's ore tucked back there.

Once you unlock Grapple, swing to the far-right wall of the Grapple Silo area. The ore gleams against the stone in plain sight, so you can't miss it if you're swinging around.

The last one comes from Tokk's Gift. Find the Needle two rooms earlier, hand it to Tokk, and he'll give you an ore on the spot. It's the easiest one in the zone since it's just a delivery.

Wellspring Glades: 5 Ores

Wellspring Glades has 5 ores scattered all over the village and its outskirts. First, drop into the big open cave on the far-left edge of the map and equip Spirit Smash - slam the brittle rock floor to expose ore underneath.

There's also ore above Grom's workbench. Stand on his hut platform and climb the vertical bark wall directly behind his bench; you'll find the chunk on narrow wooden scaffolding just above the chimney.

The waterwheel alcove is sneaky. Swim underwater at the base of the turning waterwheel and slip into a tiny sand tunnel (you need Burrow from Baur's Reach). Pop up in a hidden rear pocket where the final chunk is tucked.

There's one on the exterior glade wall, accessible with Burrow after building the first Dwellings.

Mid-Game Gorlek Ore Locations (Regions 5-8)

Luma Pools: 4 Ores

If you're working on the Luma Lanterns quest, you'll naturally collect these as you go. The first ore is right near the entrance - just look for a small ceiling tunnel to the right of the first Moki. You'll need Kuro's Feather and Launch to ride an updraft, then bash through the breakable floor to knock the ore into reach.

The third ore is significantly north-west of the central Spirit Well, and it's a doozy. You'll need Grapple and Launch to scale the left wall, then air-dash across three floating bubbles to reach a high stone plinth where the ore is waiting.

Baur's Reach: 6 Ores

Baur's Reach is where the cold really starts biting, and you'll want to warm up with some ore hunting. The first piece is hiding above the initial campfire - just grapple the blue mossy plant and wall-jump up the short shaft to spot it in plain sight.

Head to the wide frozen pond near the Simmering Pot warp for the second ore. Here you'll need to bash off falling icicles to drift left into a hidden wooden alcove tucked under some nasty spikes.

The third ore is in a thin hollow log on the far left of that same frozen pond. Dash under the low spike ceiling and grab the wall immediately - the ore is tucked inside this secret cavity.

The final ore sits in the vertical chamber right of the Simmering Pot. After you collect the third Keystone, climb the swinging pole all the way to the top platform, and you'll find the ore resting there.

Silent Woods: 2 Ores

Silent Woods is a depressing place, but Gorlek Ore is Gorlek Ore. Start at the mid-region Spirit Well and head west to a sheer drop - simply glide left to a small stone shelf beneath a dead tree's roots, and you'll spot the glowing ore right there.

For the second ore, you'll need to get creative with enemies. From the Spirit Well, go east and descend to the lower-right section. Coax a movable lure enemy to the upper-right corner and bash it into the cracked wooden wall to reveal the hidden ore.

Windswept Wastes: 4 Ores

The Windswept Wastes are exactly what they sound like - sand, sand hazards, and tricky timing. After activating the first spirit well, head right and immediately burrow into the sand to find a hollow containing the first ore, but you'll need perfect timing to avoid getting shredded.

The second ore is in the hourglass tower area. Find the wooden platform with the Corrupted Gorlek, jump to the platform above, then burrow through the sand to reach a high alcove. You'll need to transition into a Glide mid-burrow to stick the landing.

The final ore is locked behind a puzzle requiring Light Burst and Bash. Take the Life Cell Fragment path, use the bomb dispenser to create a projectile, then bash it to reach a hidden ledge where the ore is tucked away.

Late Game & Hidden Gorlek Ore Locations (Regions 9-11)

By the time you reach these final areas, you're probably scrambling for every last Gorlek Ore to finish those final upgrades. The good news is they're still scattered around; the bad news is they're way more of a pain to grab. Here's where to look:

Windtorn Ruins: 2 Ores

You'll need to re-enter Windtorn Ruins after your first visit, and the fastest way is to fast-travel to the last Spirit Well in Windswept Wastes, then climb the mountain path that was previously blocked by the gate.

1. Cliff-face Ore: On your way up, you'll spot this one on a small ledge in the left-hand cliff wall. A short Bash off any projectile is all you need, so it's a quick grab.

2. Rotating-statue Ore: This one's locked behind the T-puzzle chamber. You've got to align three T-shaped statues so their bars form a bridge - right, left, up - which retracts the ceiling grate and reveals the Ore in a small alcove. It's finicky, but you'll get it.

Midnight Burrows: 6 Ores

This place is all about timing and breaking walls, and these Ores are easy to miss if you're rushing through.

1. Hidden-wall Ore: First, activate the Time-Crystal Switch in the wide chamber (the glowing hourglass on a pedestal). After that, look for a slightly recessed, moss-less brick section on the right-hand wall - you can break it with a Bash rebound or Spirit Smash to reveal the Ore.

2. Elevator drop-down Ore: There's also an alternate route from the waterwheel area in The Wellspring. Swim against the current, dive past the Mortar Worm, burrow through the sand, glide over the spikes, and go east to find an Ore on a platform. It's a trek, but it's there if you need it.

Mouldwood Depths: 4 Ores

Mouldwood hides its Ores in the dark corners and spider-infested ceilings, so you'll want to be thorough.

1. Lantern-statue alcove Ore: After the first long feather drop near the background spider statue with a lantern, burn the purple-black brambles with Spirit Arc or Blaze to reveal a stone pod containing the Ore. The purple moss gives it away.

2. Ceiling burrow Ore (pre-boss): From the Spirit Well right before Mora's door, stand on the right-hand stone protrusion and full-jump, then Bash a purple glob - or chain a double-jump + glide - to reach a circular sand-texture burrow entrance in the ceiling. Crawl left to grab the Ore. This one is way too easy to miss when you're focused on the boss.

3. Post-boss water-wheel room Ore: After defeating Mora, surface in the machinery chamber with the spinning wooden water-wheel. Climb the spokes, leap to the right wall, and dig into a tiny burrow hole halfway up to find the Ore.

4. Hand-to-Hand quest reward: Don't forget the Missing Key questline. Bring the Lantern from Luma Pools to the Moki in Mouldwood Depths to receive Mouldwood Silk, and after completing the full trading sequence, you'll get a bonus Gorlek Ore as a reward.

Willow's End: 2 Ores

Willow's End contains 2 Gorlek Ore pieces.

Quest-Locked & Special Gorlek Ores

Spirit Shrine Rewards: 2 Ores (and 2 Pretenders)

Spirit Shrines are one of the most reliable ways to grab Gorlek Ore, but here is where things get tricky - only two areas actually have these combat challenges that pay out ore.

Luma Pools hides its shrine west of the first (central) Spirit Well, and beating the mini-boss inside spawns an ore right at the entrance. Windswept Wastes buries its shrine even deeper; you will need to burrow through the sand west of the area's first Spirit Well, but clearing it nets you another ore from the post-fight chest.

So what about Inkwater Marsh and Willow's End? Unfortunately, they do not actually have Spirit Shrines that drop ore, despite showing up on a lot of guides. In Inkwater Marsh, the ore is stashed in a sneaky alcove in the roof of the big central Moki-hut room. Willow's End hides its chunk on an isolated platform - you will need to ride the first spinning wheel right of the entrance, take the short-range teleporter at the top, then float across the gap.

Hand to Hand Quest: The Final 40th Ore

This is why you are stuck at 39/40. That last Gorlek Ore does not even appear on your map until you have finished the entire Hand to Hand trade sequence, and it is a long, tedious chain.

It all starts in Kwolok's Hollow, where a Moki gives you the Wanderer's Pouch. Take that to the Mill in The Wellspring and trade it for a Herb Pouch from another Moki, then deliver that Herb Pouch to Veral in Baur's Reach to receive Spicy Marshclam Soup. You will need to find a different Moki in Baur's Reach (same area, different NPC) and hand over the soup to receive a Fashionable Hat.

Take that hat to a Moki in Wellspring Glades and you will get Grom's Lantern, which you then give to a Moki in Mouldwood Depths for Silk String. Next, track down a Moki fishing above the first warp portal in Luma Pools - trade the Silk String for a Spyglass, then deliver that Spyglass to Motay in Wellspring Glades to receive a Canteen.

Finally, bring the Canteen to the Gorlek Miner in Windswept Wastes, and he will hand over the Stone Tablet. You are still not done yet, though. Take the Stone Tablet to Lupo's house in Wellspring Glades to trigger a rumor marking the Windtorn Ruins. Head there, place the Stone Tablet in the bottom west corner, and it activates a map that highlights every single secret in the game - including that elusive 40th Gorlek Ore.

This whole chain is a slog, but that final ore is the key to maxing out your Village.

Efficient Collection Strategy & Pro Tips

Optimal Upgrade Order for Wellspring Glades

If you're staring at that pile of Gorlek Ore and wondering what to fix first, here's the deal: Spirit Well is non-negotiable. For just 1 Ore, you unlock fast-travel to every other Spirit Well, and that makes everything else in the game less of a slog. It's the single best quality-of-life purchase you'll make, so grab it the moment you can.

Next, dump 4 Ore into Dwelling Repairs so the Moki carpenter can actually move in. Once he's set up, he'll open the Map Corners stockpile, which flat-out reveals every breakable wall and secret room for free. This saves you hours of bashing random walls or watching guide videos, so it's worth the investment early.

Your third stop should be Thorny Situation (2 Ore). This burns away that annoying vine barrier above Grom, and behind it you'll snag the Burrow slot plus the only early-game Gorlek Ore #6 you literally cannot reach any other way. It's a bit pricey, but it gates a bunch of other collectibles, so you're saving yourself a return trip later.

After that, spend 3 Ore on Roofs Over Heads to finish the left-hand houses. This gets Twillen (the shard vendor) and Motay (the plant quest-giver) out of the rain, and they'll finally offer their full inventories. Then, and only then, drop 3 Ore on Lupo the Cartographer. Once his stall is planted, buy the Wellspring Map from him and every leftover pickup - ores included - will show on your minimap. This is huge for cleanup, but it's useless if you haven't unlocked the areas first, so save it for mid-game.

Ability Requirements for Specific Ores

Let's clear up which skills you actually need to hit all 40 pieces, because running around with 39/40 is maddening.

Burrow is your biggest gatekeeper - it's required for 6 Gorlek Ore total. You'll need it for two ore buried in the Windswept Wastes sand, one hidden behind a sand wall in Wellspring Glades, another tucked under a dune in Luma Pools, and two more in sand-filled chambers over in Baur's Reach. If you don't have Burrow yet, don't waste time scouring those zones.

Grapple locks another 6 pieces behind its green flowers. You'll swing to one inside the Wellspring pump station, another behind Luma Pools' central waterfall, one in Baur's Reach ice chandelier room, plus ore in Windtorn Ruins' exterior cliffs, Midnight Burrows' north secret shaft, and Willow's End's final elevator shaft. Basically, if you see a grapple point and no ore, you probably need to come back.

Launch gets you 1 ore - the one tied to the 'Hand to Hand' side-quest. Finally, Water Breath is required for underwater exploration where Gorlek Ore is hidden. That's 18 skill-locked ores out of 40, so if you're missing a bunch, you're probably just under-equipped.

Common Missed Locations & Troubleshooting

Stuck at 39/40? This is the classic gotcha. The 40th ore is tied to the 'Hand to Hand' side-quest, and it's completely invisible on your map until you finish it. You have to run letters between Tokk, Twillen, and the Moki - it's a bit of a fetch quest, but the reward is that final ore plus full collectible reveals. If you've already turned in everything, pull up your quest log and make sure it's marked complete; sometimes the last dialogue bugs out.

Can't see any more ore on the map? Buy the Reveal upgrade from Opher or Lupo. It makes unclaimed ore glow purple, which saves you from blind back-tracking through every zone. It's cheap and absolutely worth it before you start your cleanup sweep.

Already finished 'Hand to Hand' and still short? Here are the usual culprits: Inkwater Marsh has an ore in a roof alcove that's easy to miss if you're not looking up; Howl's Den hides one under a rib-cage in the background; Wellspring has a piece behind a Light Burst lantern puzzle; Baur's Reach has a secret ice cavern you need to melt open; and Luma Pools has one at the bottom of an underwater spiral that blends into the terrain.

One last warning: Shriek's escape gauntlet in Windtorn Ruins locks after the final boss, and it holds ore nodes 28 and 35. If you're chasing 100% on a single save file, grab those before you finish the story - otherwise you're locked out and that_completion percentage will haunt you forever.

Conclusion

With a strategic upgrade order and knowledge of ability-gated ores, you can systematically rebuild Wellspring Glades. Remember, the final ore is locked behind the 'Hand to Hand' quest, and missing key pieces before the final boss can lock you out of 100% completion. Use this map to collect every last piece and fully restore the village.