Tomb Raider Guide | How to Reach the Pilot's Smoke Beacon

Here's a guide on how to reach the Pilot's Smoke Beacon in Tomb Raider.

Game Guide by ImSadi on Dec 17, 2025

This walkthrough covers the path to the pilot's smoke signal during the Guilty Conscience mission. Starting from the Village Overlook base camp, you will use your rope arrow to navigate new terrain and bypass enemy patrols.

Departure from Village Overlook

You begin at the newly unlocked Village Overlook base camp. Consider accessing the supply crate here. Note that your rope arrow now allows access to previously unreachable areas in the Mountain Village for collectibles.

When ready, take the north path. Stop at the edge and shoot a rope arrow at the marked interactive point to create a zipline.

Tomb Raider, Guide, Reach the Pilot's Smoke Beacon

Dealing with the Initial Guards

Slide down the rope. Immediately take cover upon landing, as four guards are ahead. Wait for them to separate. It is efficient to eliminate isolated guards with a headshot from the bow.

Work your way toward another zipline that the guards used earlier. This leads to a mountain path east of the main village area.

Traversing the Mountain Path

Follow this mountain path northeast until you reach another edge. Shoot a rope arrow to construct a rope bridge to the ledge above. The next obstacle is a vertical wall. Use your climbing axe to scale it.

Do not climb up immediately. Two guards patrol this area. Wait for them to move left. You can stealth kill them if you wish to explore the area fully, or ignore them to continue on the main path toward the distant smoke signal.

Approaching the Ravine

Approach the next ledge. While your objective is the blue smoke signal, the open area ahead contains many collectibles and the entrance to the second optional tomb, the Hall of Ascension.

Tomb Raider, Guide, Reach the Pilot's Smoke Beacon

For a direct route, follow these instructions. Do not shoot a rope arrow here. Instead, drop down to land by a small stream.

Creating Rope Bridges to Progress

From the stream, head right toward a wooden beam. Use your rope arrow on the indicated interactive spot to create a rope bridge. Cross it to reach a small ledge.

Face the rocks to the south and jump to the distant ledge marked in your view. Go upstairs to a new beam. Stand by it and face the eastern rocks. Create another rope bridge here.

Final Ascent to the Beacon

Slide down this new line. Locate the path that leads to a higher ledge. Face the cliff to the east where the smoke signal is located. Select your bow and make a final rope bridge to the cliff.

Use the rope bridge. Ignore the strong wind. Be prepared to immediately press the action button to use your climbing axe when the rope breaks. Complete the climb to reach the smoke signal.

Also, check our Tomb Raider (2013) Review and Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition Review, and other guides below.