Minecraft Dungeons: Unlock the secret level - here's how!

Our rune guide to the secret level in Minecraft Dungeons will tell you:

  • The locations of all runes in Minecraft Dungeons
  • Where to find the hidden switches
  • How to unlock the secret level

In Minecraft Dungeons for PC, PS4, Xbox One () and Nintendo Switch, there is a secret level that requires you to find nine runes in all levels. To save you the trouble of searching, we have listed all the rune locations.

If you're looking for more tips on improvement points, the emeralds, or the controls, check out our Minecraft Dungeons tips guide.


  • How do I start the secret level?

    • How do I unlock the secret level in Minecraft Dungeons?

    First of all, you need to have completed Minecraft Dungeons once on the standard difficulty. Before that, you won't be able to activate the hidden switches that unlock the way to the runes.

    Once you have defeated the ore store, return to the camp. Behind the pigsty you will now find a jump pad that will take you to the other side. At the destroyed Nether Portal, go left between the hills.

    Use the new jump pad in the camp to get to the church.

    Lower the raised bridge with the switch, it's just a shortcut to the spawn point and the merchants. In the church you will find a wall with a switch at the very end. To activate it, however, you need nine runes, which are hidden throughout the levels.

    Even though the level structures are randomly reassembled each time you start, you'll always find the runes in the same places in the game. You have to activate a hidden switch each time, which will open a secret gate to the run e.

    Another tip: You don 't have to finish the levels, but you can go back to the camp as soon as you find the rune. You will still keep the rune.

    Creeper Forest: Finding the Rune

    At the end of the level you have to free the inhabitants from cages in a village. In the village, keep to the bottom left of the edge.

    Just outside the village you will find a large stone slab. Step on it and a gate will open, behind which you will find the first rune.

    Wet swamp: rune location

    You have to play through the level Wet Swamp completely to get the rune. After defeating the boss enemy at the end, you will come to the door through which you will exit the level.

    Don't go through it yet, but go to the stone tower to the right of the level exit. Hidden behind the toadstools in front of the tower is the switch that opens the secret door to the rune.

    Pumpkin Willows: Where can I find the rune?

    About halfway through the level you will reach a large stone wall that looks like the rampart of a former castle. The hidden switch is on the wall, hidden at the very end behind the wooden crates.

    Click it to activate it and a part of the wall will open, behind which you will find the third rune.

    Cactus Gulch: Runes location

    During the level you will need a blue key. To get it, defeat the waves of enemies in front of the locked gate behind which the key is located.

    Behind the upper left corner of the stone platform where the enemies spawned, the switch is hidden behind a palm tree. Press it and a secret gate behind the blue key will open.

    Redstone Mines: Finding the hidden switch & the rune

    In the Redstone Mines you have to free villagers from cages twice. The hidden switch is located in the room where you free six villagers.

    The switch is in the upper left corner of the room behind some glowing Redstones. The secret gate with the rune behind it opens right next to it.

    Minecraft Dungeons: Desert Temple - rune location

    In the desert temple you are looking for a golden key. If you have found it, go only one room further, the switch can be found on the right side behind the palm tree.

    With it, the sixth rune is also yours.

    Fireforge: Find hidden switch & rune

    The rune in the Fire Forge is probably the easiest to find. Once you enter the forge, you will see a dead golem lying on the ground.

    Hit the switch next to the dead golem to open the door.

    The switch for the secret gate leading to Rune is right next to the golem on the wall.

    High Block Halls: Finding the Rune

    Later in the level you will come outside to a courtyard in the castle. Keep to the right of the wall there until you find a torch on the wall, which is off.

    The torch is the hidden switch that unlocks the gate to the rune.

    Obsidian Peak: Where can I find the last rune?

    The rune in the Obsidian Peak level is not found on the walls, but inside. Once inside, look for the room on the screenshot.

    A book on the bookshelf can be used, opening the wall behind it. Besides the last rune, you will also find two chests there.

    How do I start the secret level?

    Once you have delivered all the runes to the church, the wall behind it will open. Pick up the scroll to unlock the secret level.

    The secret level in Minecraft Dungeons awaits you right at the start.

    Then open the map of the game world, the secret level is directly above the Creeper Forest. Let yourself be surprised, even if the level should look familiar to Diablo veterans.

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