Elden Ring is known for its sprawling open world, but some of the richest and most atmospheric content is tucked away deep beneath the surface. The underground cities—places like Nokron, Ainsel River, and Deeproot Depths—offer not just lore and unique encounters but also some excellent rune farming routes for players looking to level up efficiently.

Below are nine underground rune routes that stand out for their accessibility, risk-to-reward ratio, and sheer aesthetic beauty. Whether you're exploring for the first time or returning to optimize a new build, these locations are worth diving into.

1. Nokron – Mimic Tear Bridge Route

After defeating Radahn, Nokron opens up. Head to the Mimic Tear bridge area, where you’ll find clusters of Silver Tear enemies. They go down quickly and drop a fair amount of runes. With a good AoE weapon or spell, this becomes a steady early-to-mid game farming spot.

2. Nokron – Night’s Sacred Ground

This area is packed with Silver Tears and nobles. The narrow streets allow you to lure groups together for massive AoE damage. It's one of the most reliable spots for players who want consistent rune income without needing high stats.

3. Ainsel River – Uhl Palace Ruins

Accessed via Ranni’s questline, this zone offers a great balance of challenge and reward. The enemies here drop solid rune counts, especially the malformed star-like creatures. It’s also a scenic area worth exploring in full.

4. Mohgwyn Palace – Blood Swamp

Although technically part of the underground, Mohgwyn Palace is infamous for rune farming. The red-algae swamp area is full of passive Albinaurics that can be killed quickly with a ranged weapon or AoE spell. This route is arguably the fastest way to farm runes if you’ve reached this stage. It’s no surprise it’s often mentioned when discussing the Best site to buy Elden Ring Runes, considering how sought-after these spots are.

5. Mohgwyn Palace – Bird Farm

Also in Mohgwyn, this farming trick involves baiting a giant bird off the cliff from the Dynasty Mausoleum Entrance Site of Grace. Each successful attempt nets over 11,000 runes. Combine this with the swamp farming, and you're looking at one of the most optimized routes in the entire game.

6. Deeproot Depths – Across the Roots

This area is a bit more dangerous, filled with high-HP enemies like the Lesser Crucible Knights. However, if you're strong enough, the rune yield is impressive. It’s a great mid-to-late-game option that pays off for players willing to take some risks.

7. Siofra River – Worshipper’s Woods

Early in the game, Siofra River can be a surprisingly good place to farm. The ancestral followers here give a decent amount of runes, especially considering how early you can reach the area. It’s peaceful, atmospheric, and makes for a great farming detour if you’re not quite ready for Nokron.

8. Siofra River – Hallowhorn Grounds

Not far from the Worshipper’s Woods, this open space is patrolled by spectral enemies that respawn when resting at a Site of Grace. They aren’t too aggressive but provide enough runes to justify a few farming laps here. It’s a solid route for early rune accumulation.

9. Ainsel River – Nokstella

After progressing further in Ranni’s quest, Nokstella becomes accessible. The enemies here, including the electric jellyfish and knight variants, drop excellent runes and can be pulled one-by-one to avoid overwhelming encounters. It’s also one of the most visually striking locations in the game, making farming feel a little less like grinding.

The underground cities in Elden Ring aren't just about narrative depth and mysterious beauty—they also provide some of the best farming routes in the game. Whether you're trying to gain a few levels quickly or looking to optimize your rune yield before a tough boss fight, these areas have you covered.

While some players enjoy the grind, others may look to shortcut the process. It’s not uncommon to see veteran Tarnished talking about the Best Place to buy Elden Ring Items or discussing the reliability of platforms like U4GM when preparing builds for NG+ or PvP. Whether you earn every rune through combat or supplement your gear in other ways, these underground routes ensure you're always progressing, no matter your playstyle.