I still remember the first time I approached Ulri Mountain. The Akkala region in Hyrule has always held a special place in my heart — the autumn leaves, the crisp air, and that looming tower standing defiantly on its rocky perch. Even now, in 2026, long after The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has settled into its well-earned legacy, new wanderers and returning veterans alike stumble over this particular Skyview Tower. And honestly? I can't blame them. The challenge here is deceptively simple, but it can leave you scratching your head if you don't know exactly what you're looking for.

So, why is this tower still frustrating players years after launch? The answer lies in its unique puzzle: a terrified repairman, a stolen console, and an airborne menace that refuses to play fair. But don't worry — I've mapped out every step so you can activate the tower and reveal that precious slice of the map without losing your sanity.

Where Exactly Is the Ulri Mountain Skyview Tower?

If you're like me, you probably stumbled upon this tower while exploring the northeastern stretch of the map, maybe after a stop at the South Akkala Stable. The tower itself isn't hidden in a cave or behind a waterfall; it sits proudly atop its namesake, Ulri Mountain. You can find it at the coordinates 3493, 2019, 0188. Just look for the structure jutting up from the mountain like a giant stone finger accusing the sky.

On your way, you might notice the scenery. The approach is relatively straightforward, but that doesn't mean it's peaceful. In fact, the moment you get close, you'll realize the real obstacle isn't climbing the mountain — it's what's waiting for you up there.

The Real Obstacle: Not Just a Broken Tower

The first time I climbed Ulri Mountain, I thought I could just sprint to the tower, activate it, and glide away. Classic mistake. As I neared the summit, I spotted a cluster of enemies. At first glance, they might seem like the usual moblins or bokoblins you've dealt with a hundred times. But here, the lineup includes a particularly brutish foe — a big guy who hits like a runaway boulder. If you haven't upgraded your hearts or armor, one swing from him can send you straight to a Game Over screen. Trust me, I learned that the hard way.

Should you fight them or sneak past? In my experience, clearing them out makes the whole puzzle far less stressful. You don't want to be dodging arrows while trying to solve a delicate timing challenge. But how do you handle that heavy hitter without burning through all your resources? Patience is your best weapon. Keep moving, flank him, and use your environment. If you have any elemental arrows or a strong fused weapon, now's the time to use them. Just remember: if he winds up for a big attack, roll out of the way. That animation is burned into my memory.

Meet Sawson and the Missing Console

After the area feels a little safer, head to the tower itself. That's when I noticed a trembling figure huddled near one of the tower's corners. That's Sawson, the repairman. He looks like he's seen a ghost. When you talk to him, he explains (in a rather embarrassed tone) that he was supposed to fix the tower, but an Aerocuda swooped in and snatched the console — the very device you need to activate the mechanism. Now Sawson refuses to budge until someone deals with the flying menace.

Here's the catch: the Aerocuda isn't your average arrow target. Unlike the ones you might have swatted down elsewhere, this particular one has a nasty habit of sensing your approach and instantly gaining altitude. The first time I readied my bow, I watched it sail higher until my arrows were useless. Frustrating, right? So how do you reach a creature that actively avoids you? The answer is verticality — but not in the way you might think.

The Trick to Grounding the Aerocuda

Many players try to snipe it from the ground or build some elaborate contraption. I know I did. But after a few wasted arrows, I realized the solution was always built into the tower itself. The secret: climb the Skyview Tower until you're about halfway up. Don't go all the way — the Aerocuda won't react if you stay low. Then, take a leap of faith. While you're airborne, pull out your bow. The moment you enter bullet time, the creature's erratic movement becomes trivial. You'll have a perfect slow-motion window to line up a shot.

Aerocudas are fragile; one well-placed arrow is all it takes. Once you hit it, the beast will screech and drop the console somewhere on the ground below. Glide down safely (no need to break your neck) and track down the fallen device. It usually lands not far from the tower's base. You could carry it by hand, but let's be honest — using Ultrahand is way cooler and faster. Levitate that console back up to Sawson, and watch his relief unfold. Hand it over, and the tower will hum to life, painting a huge swath of the Akkala region onto your map.

Why This Tower Still Matters in 2026

You might wonder, with all the guides and videos out there, why am I writing about this in 2026? Because despite the game's age, new players discover Hyrule every day. Some of them are playing on their new Switch 2 consoles, experiencing the expanded performance and minor graphical updates. Others are returning after years, drawn back by the recent surge of community challenges and speedrunning events. The Ulri Mountain Skyview Tower remains a small but memorable hurdle — a reminder that Tears of the Kingdom's puzzles often lie in the behavior of its creatures, not just in shrines and dungeons.

What's more, I've found that the feeling of solving this particular puzzle never gets old. It teaches you to think vertically and to pay attention to NPC dialogue. Sawson isn't just a background character; his fear directly informs your strategy. And once that map fills in, all those hard-to-reach shrines and hidden caves in Akkala become so much easier to find.

Final Tips Before You Go

If you're attempting this tower for the first time — or the tenth — here are a few condensed tips that I wish someone had told me years ago:

• Clear the camp first. That big enemy can one-shot you if you're under-prepared. Use stealth, or tackle them one by one.

• Don't waste arrows from the ground. The Aerocuda's AI is designed to evade low-angle shots. Climb and jump.

• Mark the console's location. If you lose sight of where it fell, use your Purah Pad's scope to pin it.

• Bring stamina food. If you don't have much stamina, the climb and the bullet-time drain might leave you falling without a paraglider.

Now, go show that Aerocuda who's boss. The Akkala region is waiting to be explored, and once that tower lights up, you'll wonder why you ever thought it was impossible. And if you see Sawson cowering again elsewhere? Give him a nod. He's just doing his job — badly, but honestly.