Haunted Wasteland

The Haunted Wasteland (幻影の砂漠, Gen'ei no Sabaku) is located to the west of Gerudo Valley and is only accessible through a gate protected by the Gerudo. The area is very dangerous and in order to reach the Spirit Temple, Link must complete a set of trials. The first trial is crossing the "River of Sand". If Link tries to walk over the river, he will sink through it. There are two solution to completing this. Link must either use his Longshot to get to the other side or use the Hover Boots to run across. After crossing the River of Sand, Link must follow the flag posts that him to the second challenge. The flag posts lead to stone monument that Link can go inside and find a Treasure Chest, but the real challenge is found atop the monument. If Link climbs the structure, he will find a plaque that reads "One with the eye of truth shall be guided to the Spirit Temple by an inviting ghost". There Link must equip the Lens of Truth in order to see and follow the Phantom Guide through the remainder of the desert. Failing to adhere to this path results in getting "lost", and Link returns to the entrance of the Haunted Wasteland losing a heart energy. Once Link completes the trials set for him, he reaches the Desert Colossus, a secluded area of the desert that is home to the Spirit Temple.

The Haunted Wasteland is also the home of the Carpet Merchant. After completing the "River of Sand" trial, when Link is following the flag posts, he stumbles across a sign that advertises a desert shop. If he strays from the path set up by the flag posts, and follows the direction in which the sign points, he will find the merchant hovering over the ground on a flying carpet, selling Bombchus. The Carpet Merchant is difficult to reach, however, unless Link equipts the Hover Boots.

In a certain area of the Haunted Wasteland, by straying from the Poe's path a bit, one can see what appears to be a pyramid structure. Playing the Song of Storms while in the wastelands would summon a storm and the resulting flashes of lightning would highlight the odd structure against the skyline. During the extensive hunt for the Triforce, this pyramid was one of many points of interest for the search. It soon became apparent, though, that this "pyramid" was actually just part of the level's boundary, given the triangular shape because of occlusion by the dust in the air.

In order to see the flag posts easier through the constant sandstorms, Link can play the "Song of Storms". Whenever lightning strikes during the brief rainstorm that occurs after the song has been played, the outlines of the flags can be seen more clearly.