Lost Woods

The Lost Woods are a recurring location in The Legend of Zelda games, first appeared in the first game of the series, The Legend of Zelda.

Characteristics
The Lost Woods is a large, maze-like forest found in Hyrule. It is apparently created for players, and Link, to get lost in.

The Legend of Zelda
In the original The Legend of Zelda was a single-screen, repeating area filled with trees, with one path forming a cross. It required a certain pattern of directions (north, west, south, west) in order for the player to pass through successfully. If the player did not know the correct pattern, they would be unable to reach western Hyrule without having to cross the river north of the large lake.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
In A Link to the Past the Lost Woods is located in the northwestern section of Hyrule, directly north of Kakariko Village. The Master Sword is placed in a large hidden shrine deep in the woods, though numerous fake Master Swords are also present. The dark shadows of the trees are also good growing conditions for the Sleepy Mushroom, which can be turned into Magic Powder. The Lost Woods is also inhabited by several thieves, who won't hesitate to rob passersby of their rupees, should they come too close.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
In Oracle of Seasons, the Lost Woods is the location of the Noble Sword. However, as this game is set in Holodrum, this is not the same Lost Woods as in Hyrule.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
In Ocarina of Time, the Lost Woods lies directly to the west and north of Kokiri Forest, and is inhabited by Skull Kids. It is a maze of trees that can be navigated by following the sound of Saria's Song. Taking a wrong path leads the player back to the entrance in Kokiri Forest. Portals to Goron City and Zora's River are also hidden within the Lost Woods along with a shooting challenge, where players can win Bomb Bag upgrades. Adjacent to this challenge, there are two friendly Skull Kids who play flutes. There are a few Business Scrubs located in three major places in the woods. Located in the northern portion of the woods is the Sacred Forest Meadow, which contains the Forest Temple.

According to local lore, whoever enters the forest will turn into a Stalfos (if Hylian) or a Skull Kid (if Kokiri). A Gossip Stone reveals that only Kokiri who have fairy partners may enter the forest and not become lost. In the Ocarina of Time manga, it tells of how the forest tricks human hearts into wandering the same paths over and over, and if the poor soul loses the sight of the exit, he or she will never return again.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Majora's Mask begins with Link traveling through Ocarina of Time ' Lost Woods in search of Navi, when he is sent to Termina.

Link's Awakening
In, Link's Awakening, set on Koholint Island, the player had to go through the Mysterious Forest.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
In Majora's Mask, set in Termina, players can find the Woods of Mystery in the Southern Swamp. It is where Koume generally searchs for mushrooms.

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
Prior The Wind Waker, the Lost Woods was flooded when the gods flooded Hyrule. The closest Great Sea equivalent to the forest is the Forbidden Woods, which is a dungeon rather a labyrinth.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
While the Lost Woods do not appear in Twilight Princess, they are heavily alluded to by the Sacred Grove. The grove plays Saria's Song as background music, is the home of a Skull Kid, and is easy to get lost in due to convoluted design and the lack of a map.