Yngol Barrow is an ancient, ice-choked Nordic tomb on the south bank of the river northeast of Windhelm. It was built for Yngol, the son of Ysgramor, who was lost at sea during the Nords’ return to Skyrim and laid to rest here. Expect draugr, a pillar riddle, a claw door and – if you are on the right quest – a very angry ghost of a very famous family.
What you’ll find
- Leveled draugr, though the barrow can be packed with them or completely empty depending on which quest brought you here.
- The corpse of a scholar early on, carrying Notes on Yngol Barrow, which explain the pillar puzzle he was transcribing for the College of Winterhold.
- A pillar puzzle: set the whale by the waterfall (bottom right), the eagle where daylight shines in (top left) and the snake where the grass grows (bottom left), then pull the lever.
- The gate opens on the Coral Dragon Claw on a pedestal – unless you already bought one from Birna in Winterhold.
- A claw door with the sequence snake, wolf, moth (top to bottom).
- Harmless glowing orbs that twitter and roll after you from room to room.
- A submerged chest and burial urn on the left side of the room with the bridge over shallow water.
- Adept-level chests.
Quests
The barrow serves many quests, and what waits in the final room changes with them. With the Helm of Yngol quest (Ashore in a Sea of Ghosts) active, you face Yngol’s Shade, who swings an ancient Nord or ebony weapon and uses Frost Breath and Disarm. When hunting the Helm of Winterhold for Jarl Korir, you may meet a Draugr Death Overlord or an unmasked dragon priest instead. It is also a possible spot for Azra’s Staff for Neloth (Dragonborn), the Ring of the Beast in Rings of Blood Magic, Meridia’s Beacon, Ancient Power and Fetch Me That Book!.
Notable items
- Helm of Yngol
- Coral Dragon Claw
- Notes on Yngol Barrow
- Report: Disaster at Ionith
Tips
The cheekiest trick: enter through the back door facing the eastern sea (often guarded by a frost troll), go down the tower steps and shoot Yngol’s Shade through the gaps in the gate. He cannot open it, so a bow or a precise spell like Firebolt or Ice Spike lets you win without taking a scratch. Then walk round to the front and loot at leisure. Removing the helm from Yngol’s skeleton is what unlocks the exit.
Good to know
If you take the claw from the barrow first, Birna will still sell you a second one later – but it will not start another quest.
Nearby
Closest places covered on TamrielSaga: Traitor’s Post, Hollyfrost Farm, Winterhold Stormcloak Camp, Refugees’ Rest, Hlaalu Farm.
Location data (hold, map position, editor ID) read from the Skyrim game files; details checked against community wiki articles and summarised in our own words.
