Disclaimer: ESO offers plenty of great farming spots – but even my favorites can depend on certain factors, like how crowded an area is. Please don’t force a route if it’s too busy. If too many players are farming the same spot, try a different location or come back later. Flexibility is key to efficient farming.
Why I love gathering ressources in ESO
Many MMORPGs include crafting systems – and with them, the often time-consuming task of gathering resources. Reaching high-level crafting or making gold usually requires a lot of grinding. But The Elder Scrolls Online is different. It’s the one game where I actually enjoy the small things – wandering through stunning zones, picking flowers, mining ores, collecting mushrooms. Whether it’s for better gear, powerful potions, tasty buff food, or just for profit, ESO strikes the perfect balance between effort and enjoyment.
But even though it’s a lot of fun for me, I still want to be efficient while doing it – whether it’s for goldmaking or just to stock up for my own crafting needs. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for the best material farming routes. In today’s Tavern Whisper, I’ll take you through my Top 5 material farming routes in ESO 2025 – reliable, rewarding, and perfect for crafters and traders alike.
TOP 5 farming routes:
#05 – Hollow City, Coldharbour
Let’s kick off the list with number 5: the Hollow City in Coldharbour. As shown on the map, this is a very specific farming location – ideal for gathering alchemy materials. Most of the nodes here are herbs, making it the perfect spot if you’re stocking up for potions or poisons.
One of the biggest advantages of this route is also its main drawback: the area is quite small, and the nodes are tightly packed. This makes it incredibly efficient – if you’re alone. But if other players are farming the same route, you’ll quickly notice the competition.
That’s why timing is everything. I recommend testing this route at different times of day to find a quiet window where you can farm without much interference.
Another important thing to mention: Hollow CITY is – surprise – a city. That means there are no enemies around to interrupt your farming. You can gather freely without worrying about combat, making it an ideal route for relaxed and uninterrupted material runs
Summary
Pros
- Focused on alchemy nodes
- No enemies nearby
- Fast loop, easy to repeat
Cons
- Area can be crowded
- Material type is limited
#04 – Stros M’Kai
Next up is one of the classic starter zones in The Elder Scrolls Online: Stros M’Kai. The farming route I’m about to share is also material-specific, which is why it lands at number 4 on my list. But personally? I enjoy this route more than any other.
It’s a great spot for gathering blacksmithing and jewelry crafting materials – and best of all, it’s super easy to follow. Starting from the wayshrine in the center of the zone, just head across the bridge. I usually begin near the rocks on the left side, then work my way forward in a loop through the area – just like shown on the map. You might run into some wolfs, but even these big puppies can drop clothing materials.
If you’re looking for a relaxed and reliable route for these specific materials, this one’s a hidden gem.
Summary
Pros
- Focused on jewelry and blacksmithing nodes (+ some wolfes for leather)
- Fast loop, easy to repeat
- Not much competition with the right timing
Cons
- Material type is limited
#03 – Craglorn
The third route on my list is a special one – often praised as the best farming spot in the game. And while I agree it’s excellent, it’s not my personal number one – and here’s why.
I’m talking about Craglorn. This zone is packed with a wide variety of crafting nodes, covering almost every material type. Even better: there’s a chance to find Potent or Fortified Nirncrux, a rare material used to craft gear with the coveted “Nirnhoned” trait. While the drop rate isn’t especially high, Nirncrux still sells well and adds a nice bonus to your farming profits.
Sounds great, right? And it is – except for one major drawback: the number of enemies. Many of the best routes run through areas filled with hostile mobs, which makes it harder to gather smoothly without constant interruptions.
That said, Craglorn remains one of the top farming zones in ESO – thanks to its sheer density and variety of nodes, plus the added Nirncrux bonus. Just come prepared to fight, or be quick on your feet.
Summary
Pros
- Perfect to farm almost all the different materials in the game
- Good node density
- Bonus gold with Potent or Fortified Nirncrux drops
Cons
- A lot of hostile mobs
- Doesnt feel as smooth as some of the smaller routes
#02 – Artaeum
Summary
Pros
- Perfect to farm almost all the different materials in the game
- Good node density
- ZERO hostile mobs
Cons
- There are a lot of players
#01 – Betnikh
Finally, we’ve reached the top spot on the list: Betnikh. As another starter zone, it’s designed with beginners in mind, which makes it simple, efficient, and surprisingly effective for farming.
You’ll find all major crafting nodes, barely any hostile mobs, and a beautifully designed green forest that makes the whole route feel refreshing. What more could you ask for?
There are a few minor enemies like wolves and spiders, but they’re easy to handle – and even better, they can drop crafting materials, making them worth the quick fight.
If you’re looking to farm a variety of materials on a fixed route, Betnikh is your go-to. I personally like to start at the wayshrine in the south of the island. From there, you can either head left or right and follow the circular route shown on the map. You’ll loop right back to where you started –which gives you the option to go another round or simply teleport to the next city when you’re done.
Summary
Pros
- Perfect to farm almost all the different materials in the game
- Good node density
- Easy to kill mobs which drop additional crafting materials
- Fast loop, easy to repeat and very flexible
Cons
- Might be contested by other players
Final thoughts
If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably realized one key thing: success in material farming comes down to timing and organization. Even the best farming spot won’t deliver great results if it’s overcrowded or you’re not following an efficient route.
My advice? Use these five routes as a starting point – but don’t be afraid to explore and find what works best for your playstyle. You might discover completely different favorites that suit your needs even better.
Either way, I hope this post gave you a solid overview of material farming and goldmaking in The Elder Scrolls Online 2025 and maybe even inspired you to enjoy the grind just a little more.
See you in Tamriel and may your bags always overflow with resources!