In the vast and mysterious world of Elden Ring, players are always on the hunt for Elden Ring runes—those precious in-game currencies used to level up, purchase gear, and upgrade weapons. While many players flock to the well-known farming spots, there are several lesser-known rune sources that still offer incredible value, especially for those revisiting the Lands Between on a second or third playthrough. Based on personal experience and hundreds of hours spent exploring every inch of the game, here are seven forgotten high-value rune sources that are absolutely worth your time.

1. War-Dead Catacombs (Caelid)

Most players rush through the War-Dead Catacombs after defeating Radahn, forgetting that this location is packed with ghostly enemies that constantly fight each other. You can collect thousands of runes just by standing back and letting the chaos unfold. I personally used this spot during NG+ and gained over 50,000 runes in under 10 minutes without lifting a finger.

2. Windmill Village (Altus Plateau)

This eerie, celebratory village hides a secret: the dancers here are surprisingly rune-rich. After clearing the village and defeating the Godskin Apostle, you can return to farm the enemies who respawn and drop a surprisingly high amount of runes. I found this particularly useful before heading into tougher zones like the Mountaintops of the Giants.

3. Mohgwyn Palace - Entrance Area

While Mohgwyn Palace is a well-known farming zone, the entrance area specifically is often overlooked. The enemies here are tough, but with the right build, you can farm Albinaurics quickly. I’ve used this area for rune farming while waiting for friends to summon me in co-op, making good use of idle time.

4. Yelough Anix Tunnel (Consecrated Snowfield)

This snowy and hidden area is packed with miners that drop not only useful crafting materials but also decent rune rewards. Many players skip this area altogether, but I stumbled upon it during a casual exploration run and was surprised by how quickly my rune count increased.

5. Divine Tower Bridge Guards

After activating a Great Rune, the bridges leading to Divine Towers often have powerful, recurring enemies guarding them. One of my favorite pastimes is taking them down repeatedly—not just for the challenge, but also for the rune payoff. It’s a great balance of risk and reward.

6. Lake of Rot - Basilisk Pools

The Lake of Rot is an area most players try to clear as fast as possible due to the scarlet rot, but if you return with rot-resistant gear and spells, the basilisks here are a goldmine. With a bit of patience, I found this to be a surprisingly effective spot for rune farming late game.

7. Subterranean Shunning-Grounds

Often ignored after defeating Mohg, this maze-like sewer system under Leyndell holds numerous enemies that drop great rune yields. The Omen enemies here are especially profitable. I spent an evening revisiting this area and ended up with enough runes to gain three levels without even using a Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot.

For those who may not have time to farm or simply want to skip the grind, many players choose to buy Elden Ring runes from reliable sources. I’ve personally tried the Elden Ring rune buy service from U4GM, and it offered a safe, fast, and efficient way to boost my character without risking bans or account issues. It’s a solid option for players who value time over the repetition of farming.

Whether you’re farming the old-fashioned way or using a trusted rune service, revisiting these forgotten spots can bring both nostalgia and significant rewards. Don’t overlook the paths less traveled—you might just find the boost you need to conquer the next challenge in the Lands Between.

Essential Info: U4GM - Top 10 Places to Farm Runes Fast in Elden Ring