Throat of the World

Highest mountain in Tamriel and home of the dragon Paarthurnax, reached beyond High Hrothgar after learning Clear Skies. Its summit holds the broken word wall where Fire Breath is taught and a Notched Pickaxe.

Word wall

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Where is Throat of the World on the map?

Throat of the World is in Whiterun Hold, about 0.8 km south-east of Whiterun and about 0.4 km north-west of Ivarstead. The nearest hold capital is Whiterun, which carriages from the other major cities can reach. From there, head south-east for 0.8 km to reach Throat of the World.

Collectibles at Throat of the World

Word wall: Throat of the World. Teaches "Shul" of Fire Breath.

Type: Landmark
Group: Dungeons
World: Skyrim

Where the Throat of the World is on the map

The Throat of the World is the huge mountain in the middle of Skyrim's map, southeast of Whiterun in Whiterun Hold. Its lower slopes carry the 7,000 Steps from Ivarstead up to High Hrothgar, and the summit marker sits above the monastery. In game terms the peak is described as the highest point in Tamriel, though the actual height above sea level inside the game world is only about 766 metres.

How to reach the summit

The route to the top starts in the back courtyard of High Hrothgar. A wall of freezing wind blocks the path and cannot be crossed on foot until Arngeir teaches you all three words of Clear Skies during the quest The Throat of the World. Shout at each patch of mist and walk through while it is clear; it returns after a few seconds, so shout again at every bank. Frost trolls and ice wraiths wait on the ledges. The route to the monastery itself is covered in how to get to High Hrothgar.

Once you have visited the summit it becomes a fast travel point, so you only need to walk the wind path once.

What is at the summit

Paarthurnax: the ancient dragon who leads the Greybeards. He lands on the broken word wall and teaches Yol, the first word of Fire Breath, then asks you to shout it back at him as a greeting.
The Time Wound: the shimmering spot beside the wall where reading the Elder Scroll (Dragon) shows the vision of Hakon One-Eye, Gormlaith Golden-Hilt and Felldir the Old and teaches Dragonrend.
The Notched Pickaxe: a unique pickaxe that raises Smithing by 5 points and deals 5 shock damage on hit, stuck near the ore veins at the very top of the peak above the word wall. Climb the rocks behind Paarthurnax to find it. It is marked as Notched Pickaxe on our map.
Ore: two ebony veins, two malachite veins and one silver vein around the pickaxe, a rare early source of ebony.

Quests on the Throat of the World

The Throat of the World: climb to Paarthurnax, learn Yol, and hear that only an Elder Scroll can show you Dragonrend. This leads straight into Elder Knowledge and the trip to Blackreach.
Alduin's Bane: read the scroll at the Time Wound, learn Dragonrend, then fight Alduin on the summit with Paarthurnax's help. Alduin only takes damage while Dragonrend is active, so keep grounding him.
Paarthurnax: after the main quest the Blades demand the dragon's death. Refusing locks you out of the Blades but keeps the Greybeards on your side.
Several later dragon souls and word walls are also pointed out by Paarthurnax when you talk to him at the peak.

Throat of the World: FAQ

Where is the Throat of the World in Skyrim?

In the centre of the map, southeast of Whiterun. High Hrothgar sits halfway up and the summit with Paarthurnax is above it.

How do I get past the wind on the Throat of the World?

You need the Clear Skies shout, taught in full by Arngeir during the quest The Throat of the World. Shout at each bank of mist and walk through before it closes.

Can I reach the summit without Clear Skies?

Not through the official path. The wind deals heavy frost damage every second and will kill you. Some players climb around the outside with a horse, but it is unreliable.

Where is the Notched Pickaxe?

At the very top of the peak, above the word wall where Paarthurnax lands, next to the ebony and malachite veins.

What shout is on the Throat of the World word wall?

Fire Breath. Paarthurnax teaches the first word, Yol, from the broken wall during The Throat of the World quest.