There are many hidden secrets buried beneath the complex world of Hallownest. Some are so hidden that chances are you’ll never discover them on your own. Yet if you wish to unlock all the achievements in Hollow Knight and truly complete the game, you’ll have to search out the mysterious character known as Mister Mushroom.

Mr. Mushroom has to be encountered a total of 7 times throughout your adventure, in rather obscure places spread all over the Hallownest map. Yet, this can only be done towards the end of the game. The player needs to have defeated the three Dreamers before Mr. Mushroom will even spawn. And even then, you need to have the Spore Shroom charm equipped, or you won’t even be able to understand what he’s saying.

This guide will take you through every step and every location Mr. Mushroom can be found in, as well as how to trigger the final secret cutscene at the climax of your adventure.

The Spore Shroom Charm

If you haven’t already found the Spore Shroom, firstly, you’re going to want to head over to the Queen’s Station, which is located right next to the Fungal Wastes. The room you’re looking for is located directly beneath this area.

Make your way to the chamber marked in the above image. It will have a lake of acid on the ground. Go to the far left of the room and find the little hole in the ground. Follow this route all the way to the right, and you will find a little island with the Spore Shroom charm on the ground.

The Poem

For all the next steps, make sure you have the Spore Shroom equipped at all times, or nothing will happen.

This step isn’t actually necessary to complete Mr. Mushroom’s storyline, but if you wish to increase your lore knowledge or simply immerse yourself in the questline, I would recommend completing this step first.

In the Kingdom’s Edge, you need to head to the large vertical shaft in the very south-east of the map. You’ll know the one, as it has a huge amount of Geo at the bottom. As you’re heading down, look for a hidden opening in one of the Eastern walls. The passage will lead to a plaque which can only be read with the Spore Shroom Charm.

The poem reads as follows:

Spawn of self, their minds unite

Aside the source of acid blight

Aglow in darkest winding depths

Winds all howl above fossilstone steps

Monarchflys in air set still

To root’s domain and snail once shrill

Path of Wyrm, at new lands entered

There journey’s end. The Kingdom ventured.

While it’s not immediately obvious, the poem hints at where Mr. Mushroom is going to show up. For example, “spawn of self” regards Mr. Mushroom being a spawn of the Fungal Waste, and “Winds all howl” speaks of the Howling Cliffs.

The Fungal Wastes

First of all, return to the Queen’s station and head east and down to the room highlighted in the image above. There is a small passage located in the far left of the room, where you met Cornifer to sell you the map of the Fungal Wastes.

Give Mr. Mushroom a smack with your nail, and he will turn, giving you your first piece of cryptic wisdom. Funnily enough, it seems that he isn’t actually talking to you, but rather to someone else. It’s theorised that this is actually referring to Team Cherry’s previous game, Hungry Knight, but who knows for certain?

The point is, eventually, he will disappear, heading over to the next location.

Kingdom’s Edge

For the second location, you want to head over to the Kingdom’s Edge. Go to the Hidden Stag Station near the Palace Ground and head up to the tram. Take the Tram East and head to the large vertical room above the southern Hive Entrance.

There are three little rooms in the shaft, and Mr. Mushroom will be located in the middle one. Once again, hit him, and listen to this dialogue. He will then move to the third location.

Deepnest

Ah, the creepy spiders’ caves… Great. First of all, head over to the Distant Station and then drop, and head to the east.

Continue moving east through the large chamber until you reach a smaller one with an exit that leads upward. You want to be in the room that’s located beneath the failed tramway. The western entrance will even have a bunch of glowing mushrooms in case you can’t find it. Head past the Dream Warrior, and you will find Mr. Mushroom waiting for you.

Howling Cliffs

The next location is inside Nailmaster Mato’s place. If you haven’t been there yet, either travel to the Stag Nest station, head north from Greenpath, or use the passage found in the King’s Pass. The entrance can be found down and to the right of Gorb’s Statue, through a little tunnel next to a pit of spikes.

Ancient Basin

This next spot is super easy. Simply head back to the Hidden Station and head left as far as you can, using your crystal dash for fast travelling.

You’ll know you’re in the right place once you’ve passed by a massive, long pit of spikes. Right after the Broken Vessel boss, continue down the passageway, and Mr. Mushroom will be waiting right there for you.

Fog Canyon / Queen’s Gardens

Next, Mr. Mushroom can be found directly beneath the Overgrown Mound. To get there, head back to the Queen’s Station and up to the long vertical jellyfish room. Head west down the pathway halfway up this room and continue heading left.

Enter the Queen’s Gardens, and when you reach the rooms with the platforms, head up. Mr. Mushroom can be found on your left as soon as you enter this new room.

King’s Pass

Fear not, folks, this is the final step! If you have a dreamgate open, head back to the Howling Cliffs, or from Dirtmouth, go west back to the location in which the game begins.

You’ll know you’re in the right place due to the absolutely massive cliff. Talk to Mr. Mushroom, and finally, he will notice you. Exhaust his dialogue, and he will shoot off into the sky. Congratulations! Quest complete!

If you want the achievement and the secret ending, simply complete any of the endings again, and keep your eyes peeled for a surprise!