OSRS Hard Temple Trek Guide: Master the Toughest Route in Old School RuneScape

OSRS Hard Temple Trek Guide: Master the Toughest Route in Old School RuneScape


If you’re looking to conquer one of the most challenging yet rewarding minigames in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), the Hard Temple Trek is your ultimate test. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to succeed on the toughest route of Temple Trekking, from preparation to execution. Whether you’re chasing the coveted Lumberjack outfit, stockpiling resources like pure essence, or aiming to complete the Morytania Hard Diary, this detailed OSRS Hard Temple Trek guide has you covered. Let’s dive into the swampy depths of Morytania and emerge victorious!

Temple Trekking is a members-only minigame where you escort NPCs from Burgh de Rott to Paterdomus (or vice versa in Burgh de Rott Ramble) through the perilous Morytania swamps. The Hard Route—Route 3—is the most difficult path, featuring high-level monsters and complex events. Choosing a “hard” companion further ramps up the challenge, as they’re weaker and attract more enemies, but the rewards make it worthwhile.

Why Choose the Hard Route?

The Hard Route offers the best rewards per trek, including higher quantities of pure essence, bowstrings, and a better shot at rare drops like the Lumberjack outfit. It’s also a requirement for the Morytania Hard Diary, making it a must for achievement hunters.

Prerequisites for Success

Before you set out, ensure you’ve completed the following:

Preparation: Gear, Inventory, and Strategy

Success on the Hard Route hinges on preparation. The right gear and inventory setup can mean the difference between a triumphant trek and a swampy demise.

Recommended Gear

Your gear should balance combat effectiveness with utility. Here’s a solid setup:

  • Helmet: Helm of Neitiznot or Slayer Helmet (if on task).
  • Body and Legs: Rune or Dragon armor for defense.
  • Weapon: Dragon Scimitar or better; Efaritay’s Aid for vampyres.
  • Shield: Dragon Defender or Rune Kiteshield.
  • Amulet: Salve Amulet (e) for undead boosts.
  • Ring: Ring of Life as a safety net.

Inventory Setup

Your inventory needs to support both you and your companion. Here’s a breakdown:

Item Purpose
10-15 Food (Lobsters or better) Healing for you and your companion.
Prayer Potions (2-4) For Protection Prayers against tough foes.
Axe and Tinderbox For puzzle events like bridge repairs.
Efaritay’s Aid or Silver Weapon Essential for vampyre encounters.
Teleport (e.g., Morytania Legs) Quick escape if needed.

Choosing Your Companion

For the Hard Route, pick a “hard” companion (e.g., Rolayne Twickit for Temple Trekking or Jayene Kliyn for Burgh de Rott Ramble). They’re fragile but maximize rewards. Pre-stock their inventory with 15 pieces of food (use on them before starting) to keep them alive during combat.

Navigating the Hard Route: Events and Encounters

Route 3 takes you through Canifis, narrow Hollows pathways, and a boat to Mort’ton. You’ll face 0-4 events per trek, with monsters up to level 140. Here’s how to handle them.

Combat Events

Expect 5-6 monsters per encounter with a hard companion. Common foes include:

  • Vampyre Juvinates: Use Efaritay’s Aid or silver weapons; they hit hard without it.
  • Nail Beasts: Fast attackers; kill quickly to protect your companion.
  • Swamp Snakes: High-damage melee; use Protect from Melee.

Tip: Prioritize threats to your companion. Use Protect Prayers and heal them with food mid-fight if their health drops below 50%.

Puzzle Events

Puzzles test your problem-solving skills. Here’s how to tackle the main ones:

  • Bridge Repair: Use your axe and hammer (if brought) to fix it quickly.
  • Bog Crossing: Click the correct path to avoid sinking; trial and error may be needed.
  • Campsite Aid: Use food sacks or baskets to heal NPCs efficiently.

Evading Events

To evade combat, kill at least 50% of the monsters first, then right-click the path to escape. This saves time but risks lower rewards. Use this sparingly on Route 3 unless you’re overwhelmed.

Rewards: What You’ll Gain from the Hard Route

The Hard Route’s difficulty pays off with top-tier rewards. Here’s what to expect:

Reward Tokens

Upon completion, you’ll receive a token based on your performance. Hard treks often yield blue or red tokens, offering:

  • Pure Essence: Up to 660 per trek, ideal for Runecrafting.
  • Bowstrings: Up to 150, great for Fletching.
  • XP Tomes: 2,000-5,000 XP in skills like Slayer or Agility.

Lumberjack Outfit

The Lumberjack outfit, a rare drop from undead lumberjacks in combat events, boosts Woodcutting XP by 2.5% when fully equipped. It’s a grind, but Route 3 offers the best odds due to frequent combat.

Morytania Hard Diary Completion

Escorting a hard companion on any route (Route 1 is easiest) completes the “Escort a Hard Companion” task. Pair it with Route 3 for efficiency if you’re confident.

Tips and Tricks for Mastering the Hard Temple Trek

Maximize your success with these pro tips:

Optimize Your Run

  • Use Graceful Armor: Reduces weight for faster running.
  • Prayer Management: Recharge at Paterdomus or Nature Spirit altar between treks.
  • Combat Focus: Lure monsters away from your companion to minimize their damage taken.

Handling Failure

If your companion dies, the trek fails, and you keep your items (it’s not a dangerous minigame). Teleport out with Morytania Legs or a Salve Graveyard teleport to restart quickly.

Scaling Rewards

For resource farming (e.g., pure essence), stick to Route 3 with a hard companion and complete all combat events. For speed (e.g., diary task), use Route 1 and evade non-essential fights.

With this OSRS Hard Temple Trek guide, you’re ready to tackle Route 3 like a pro. From gearing up to navigating deadly encounters, you’ve got the tools to succeed. Whether it’s the thrill of the challenge or the lure of rare rewards, the Hard Route awaits—grab your axe, stock up on food, and lead your companion through Morytania’s darkest paths. Happy trekking!