Leveling up in Elden Ring can be a grind, especially if you're trying to avoid clashing with the game's major bosses early on. Whether you’re looking to power-level a new build, gather enough Elden Ring Runes to buy key Elden Ring items, or simply want to explore the Lands Between at your own pace, there are plenty of high-value rune farming routes that don’t require defeating demigods or legacy dungeon bosses.

These rune routes are perfect for cautious explorers, first-time players, or anyone looking to upgrade their character quickly without getting locked into long boss fights. Here are 9 of the best rune farming paths that let you avoid major bosses while still building a solid character foundation.

1. Mohgwyn Palace – Albinauric Massacre (Late Game, But Boss-Free Entry Possible)

If you can get access via the Varre questline or a portal near Consecrated Snowfield, this is easily the most efficient rune farm in the game. The Albinaurics here can be one-shot with AoE spells or ranged attacks. Expect tens of thousands of Elden Ring Runes per run without touching Mohg himself.

2. Lenne’s Rise Ball Farm – Caelid

A giant rolling ball near Lenne’s Rise crashes off a cliff every time you bait it. No combat needed. Each fall nets a few thousand runes and you can repeat it endlessly. It’s low-risk and can be done very early with access to Torrent.

3. Fort Faroth – Caelid Dragon Area

Nearby sleeping dragons are surrounded by smaller dragons that can be killed quickly for solid rune returns. The big dragon, Greyoll, can also be slowly taken down without a fight (though this is controversial among players). Just bring bleed weapons and patience.

4. War-Dead Catacombs – Post-Radahn Battlefield

Even if you haven’t fought Radahn, this area can be accessed once unlocked. The enemies here fight each other, giving you free Elden Ring Runes as you wait. Loot the area and dodge combat, or clean up stragglers for faster results.

5. Windmill Village – Altus Plateau

The celebrants in this eerie village are weak and drop a surprising amount of runes. If you’ve reached the Altus Plateau via the Dectus Lift, this area becomes a reliable farming spot with little resistance and no major boss in your way.

6. Highroad Cave – Limgrave

This overlooked cave has plenty of wolves and minor enemies that give solid early-game rune returns. It’s a low-level route that lets you collect valuable Elden Ring items without confronting Margit or heading to Stormveil Castle.

7. Rune Bears at Mistwood

Risky but rewarding, the rune bears near Mistwood Ruins drop a significant number of runes for mid-game characters. With Torrent, you can kite or cheese them from range without a major boss in sight.

8. Academy Gate Town – Liurnia

This flooded area is filled with magic-wielding enemies and soldiers. It’s great for mid-game farming and can be accessed early with a little exploration. Avoid the main academy if you're not ready for Rennala.

9. Nokron Night’s Sacred Ground – Mimic Tear Area

Once Nokron is unlocked (post-Radahn, or via other means depending on progression), the area before Mimic Tear contains plenty of weak Silver Tears. Farming here with AoE spells or a strong weapon can net a quick rune boost with minimal resistance.

All of these routes allow you to farm Elden Ring Runes at your own pace, build up levels, and gather useful Elden Ring items without confronting major bosses or entering the more punishing zones unprepared. It’s a smart way to get stronger, especially if you're experimenting with new builds or prepping for late-game content.

Many players who want to speed up this process look to trusted platforms like U4GM for community tips and resources to enhance their journey. No matter how you choose to play, these routes provide flexible, boss-free progression paths to make your time in the Lands Between more efficient—and a lot less frustrating.