Stardew Valley Secret Woods: 6 Interesting Things To Do

Have you unlocked that blocked path at the northwest corner of Cindersap Forest in Stardew Valley? That’s the Secret Woods! You’ll find several items here and mysteries you can solve once you spend more time playing the game. Here’s a guide to learning more about this uncanny area.

If you’ve roamed around Stardew Valley’s map, you’ll notice the northwest area of the Cindersap Forest blocked with a huge log. You might think it’s only for decorative purposes, not until you hit it with your axe. 

Where does it lead? It brings you to the Secret Woods, which no longer seems like a secret now you’ve discovered it. Nonetheless, you might wonder what you’ll find in this newly unlocked area. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about it and the things you’ll find on this site!

What is the Secret Woods in Stardew Valley?

It’s an inaccessible area for starters. It contains several forgeable items, but you’ll also find slimes lurking here. So, make sure to bring weapons to protect yourself.

How do you get to the Secret Woods in Stardew Valley?

You’ll find this site in the northwest part of Cindersap Forest. You may only unlock it once you purchase the Steel Axe upgrade from Clint’s shop. Using other versions of this axe would be great, too, as it hastens the process of breaking the large log. But for newbies, you may start with the first tool upgrade.

Things to Do in the Secret Woods

1. Collect Forageable Items

If you’re looking for the best spots to find loots from the wild, this area is your go-to. You may discover common to rare items that can help you complete quests and recipes. Moreover, their spawn percentage also depends on the season and time. Below are the chances of getting goods:

Here’s a list of things you’ll find alongside their season and appearance rate:

2. Accomplish Old Master Cannoli’s Search.

Upon going further into the woods, you’ll find an old statue; that’s Old Master Cannoli. Interacting with it shows his interesting search for the sweetest taste. Here’s how you can complete it: get a Rare Seed from the Traveling Cart and grow it to obtain the Sweet Gem Berry. After doing so, you can now offer it to the statue and obtain a Stardrop in return.

3. Get Hardwood.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned player, you know that hardwood is a must-have, especially when you have plenty of projects. If you’re visiting the Secret Woods, you’ll find six large stumps. Six? You may only see four of them if you don’t know the secret passage.

Getting these stumps can give you 12 pieces of hardwood daily. While you can find the entrance to the smaller part of the forest by heading southeast from where the visible stumps are located. Anyhow, obtaining them lets you have additional sources of hardwood which helps you earn more foraging experience.

4. Fish for Common Fishes.

Surprisingly, you can also catch fish in the small pond found in this area. But you’ll only find regular kinds of them, so don’t get your hopes up.

Moreover, they’re all nonseasonal creatures. You can sell them or make good dishes. Here’s the list of fish you may get alongside the time and weather they’re available:

5. Dig Artifact Spots.

You know it when you see it. These twig-like figures or artifact spots can bring you common to rare items in Stardew Valley. However, you’ll rarely find them in this woodland since there are only eight tiles that spawn them. You’ll locate these slates close to the pond. While there’s only a 0.01 rate to find them overnight and 0.7 chances every winter.

Here are the possible items you’ll get by digging them with a hoe:

6. Unlock the Bear’s Knowledge.

Finding Secret Note #23 triggers the Strange Quest. And if you enter the woods around 6 AM to 7 PM with a Maple Syrup in your inventory, you’ll meet a Grizzly Bear. He’ll thank you for bringing the syrup and shares his knowledge about berries. It’ll increase the selling price of berries 3x; it only applies to items like Salmonberry and Blackberry.