WoW Forever Leveling Zones by Level: Where to Quest 1–60
WoW Forever leveling zones by level for Alliance and Horde: where to quest from 1 to 60, new zones like the Riverglades, and when to move on.
Last checked: November 9, 2026. Zones in WoW: Forever have fixed level ranges, so arriving too early costs you time. This page lists where to quest at each level from 1 to 60, using two public sources: the minimum questing levels in Warcraft Tavern's leveling overview and the ranges in Wowhead's Forever zone database.
The short version: stay in your starting zone to about level 10, move to a second zone for 10–20, and from level 20 almost every zone is contested, so both factions quest in the same places. The two new questing zones are the Riverglades in the mid-30s and Shen'dralas around 40. Mount Hyjal is for level 60.
We have not timed a full route, and the game has been live for less than a week. Treat this as a map of options, not a fastest path. For how to pace a session, see our Forever leveling guide.
How to read the two numbers
- Arrive at is Warcraft Tavern's minimum recommended level for questing in the zone. Use it to decide when to travel.
- Wowhead range is the level range Wowhead shows for the zone. A few of its upper numbers sit far above the usual questing range, for example Dustwallow Marsh at 36–61, so do not read the top number as "stay until".
- Faction is the label Wowhead gives the zone. Contested zones are used by both factions.
Where the sources differ by a level or two, start with a few quests and see how the enemies feel before you commit to the trip.
Levels 1–10: starting zones
| Zone | Faction | Arrive at | Wowhead range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elwynn Forest | Alliance | 1 | 1–10 |
| Dun Morogh | Alliance | 1 | Not clear |
| Teldrassil | Alliance | 1 | 1–11 |
| Durotar | Horde | 1 | 1–10 |
| Mulgore | Horde | 1 | 1–10 |
| Tirisfal Glades | Horde | 1 | 1–12 |
| Zephras Isle | Skyborne, either faction | 1 | 1–12 |
Zephras Isle is new. Blizzard describes it as a level 1–12 starting experience for the Skyborne, who pick the Alliance or the Horde at character creation (launch post). Wowhead currently shows Dun Morogh as 1–56 with a "level changed" flag, which does not look like a questing range, so we left it out.
Levels 10–20: your second zone
| Zone | Faction | Arrive at | Wowhead range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westfall | Alliance | 10 | 9–18 |
| Loch Modan | Alliance | 10 | 10–18 |
| Darkshore | Alliance | 10 | 11–19 |
| The Barrens | Horde | 10 | 10–33 |
| Silverpine Forest | Horde | 10 | 10–20 |
| Redridge Mountains | Contested | 15 | 15–25 |
| Stonetalon Mountains | Contested | 15 | 15–25 |
| Ashenvale | Contested | 18 | 19–30 |
Alliance players have three zones at level 10 and Horde players have two, with The Barrens covering a much longer range than the others. If your zone is crowded, the other one for your faction is the easy alternative.
Two of Blizzard's new dungeons open in this bracket: Hall of Thanes at 13–18 and Ruins of Lordaeron at 15–20 (dungeon overview).
Levels 20–30: contested territory
| Zone | Faction | Arrive at | Wowhead range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wetlands | Contested | 20 | 20–30 |
| Hillsbrad Foothills | Contested | 20 | 20–31 |
| Duskwood | Contested | 20 | 10–30 |
| Thousand Needles | Contested | 25 | Not clear |
From here you share zones with the other faction. On a PvP ruleset that means fights on the road, so plan a little extra time. Wowhead lists Thousand Needles as 6–35 with a "level changed" flag; Warcraft Tavern's 25 is the safer number.
Levels 30–40: the Riverglades bracket
| Zone | Faction | Arrive at | Wowhead range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterac Mountains | Contested | 30 | 27–39 |
| Arathi Highlands | Contested | 30 | 30–40 |
| Desolace | Contested | 30 | 30–39 |
| Stranglethorn Vale | Contested | 30 | 30–50 |
| Riverglades | Contested | 35 | 36–44 |
| Badlands | Contested | 35 | 36–45 |
| Swamp of Sorrows | Contested | 35 | 36–43 |
| Dustwallow Marsh | Contested | 35 | 36–61 |
| Feralas | Contested | 35 | 41–60 |
The Riverglades is the largest new questing zone. Blizzard says it covers much of the mid-30s to mid-40s and has more than 150 new quests (launch post). Warcraft Tavern places it on the east coast of the Eastern Kingdoms (zone preview).
Feralas shows the biggest gap between the sources: Warcraft Tavern says 35, Wowhead says 41. If you are 35, pick one of the other four zones first.
Levels 40–50: spreading out
| Zone | Faction | Arrive at | Wowhead range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shen'dralas | Contested | 40 | Not listed |
| Tanaris | Contested | 40 | 40–50 |
| The Hinterlands | Contested | 40 | 41–56 |
| Searing Gorge | Contested | 43 | 43–56 |
| Azshara | Contested | 45 | 42–55 |
| Felwood | Contested | 45 | 47–54 |
| Blasted Lands | Contested | 45 | 46–63 |
| Un'Goro Crater | Contested | 48 | 48–55 |
Shen'dralas is the second new questing zone. Blizzard calls it a long-hidden mystery between Mulgore and Desolace and gives no level. The 40 comes from Warcraft Tavern's table; its own pre-launch preview guessed anywhere from 30 to 50, so check the first quests before you travel.
Levels 50–60: the last stretch
| Zone | Faction | Arrive at | Wowhead range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burning Steppes | Contested | 50 | 50–59 |
| Western Plaguelands | Contested | 50 | 46–57 |
| Winterspring | Contested | 53 | 55–60 |
| Eastern Plaguelands | Contested | 53 | 54–59 |
| Silithus | Contested | 55 | 55–59 |
| Deadwind Pass | Contested | 55 | 50–60 |
| Mount Hyjal | Contested | 60 | Not listed |
Mount Hyjal is a level 60 zone in Warcraft Tavern's table, not a leveling zone. Blizzard's launch post says you reach it through Darkwhisper Gorge, and it is where the first raids open on December 9. Our raid preparation guide covers those.
The Burning Steppes is also where the Onyxia attunement begins, so Alliance players can pick up that chain while questing there. See the Onyxia attunement guide.
How to choose between two zones
- Check the "arrive at" level first. Arriving a level or two early is easier with a group than alone.
- Count the travel. A zone on the other continent has to offer several levels of quests to be worth the trip.
- Look at where your next dungeon is. Blizzard's nine new dungeons run from level 13 to 60, and questing next to one saves a journey.
- Leave when the rewards drop off. If the quests left in your log give little experience, the zone is finished for you even if Wowhead's range goes higher.
Frequently asked questions
Does WoW Forever have level scaling?
Both sources used here list a fixed level range for every zone, and Icy Veins reports that zones do not scale with your level. That is why the order you visit them in matters.
What level is the Riverglades?
Blizzard says mid-30s to mid-40s. Warcraft Tavern suggests arriving at 35 and Wowhead lists 36–44.
Where do I level from 25 to 30?
Wetlands, Hillsbrad Foothills and Duskwood all run to about 30, and Warcraft Tavern suggests Thousand Needles from 25. Horde players can also stay in The Barrens, which Wowhead lists up to 33.
Is Mount Hyjal a leveling zone?
Not according to Warcraft Tavern's table, which lists it at 60. It holds the first raids, which open on December 9.
Can I follow a WoW Classic zone order?
Only as a starting point. Forever adds Zephras Isle, the Riverglades and Shen'dralas, and Blizzard says there are more than 1,000 new quests across levels 1–60.
When you would rather skip some levels
Questing through every bracket is the game for many players. If you would rather spend your time at 60, HideBoost offers a WoW Forever level boost where you choose the level range. Contact support to check availability and timing before you order.
Blizzard prohibits buying or selling in-game services for real money, and involved accounts may be penalized. Account sharing also violates Blizzard's rules. Consider those risks and review Blizzard's policy information before purchasing a third-party service.
