The Grand Lift of Rold is the gateway to the Mountaintops of the Giants, the late-game area that follows Leyndell, Royal Capital. You cannot use it by just walking up to it: the lift only works once you hold the Rold Medallion, a key item you receive after defeating Morgott, the Omen King.
Step 1: defeat Morgott
Morgott is the final boss of Leyndell, fought at the Elden Throne. After the fight, approach the thorns blocking the Erdtree and find that you cannot enter. Rest at the nearby Site of Grace and Melina will speak to you and hand over the Rold Medallion. If you rest and nothing happens, check your Key Items: you may already have it.
Step 2: leave Leyndell through the Forbidden Lands
Travel to the Avenue Balcony Site of Grace in Leyndell. From there, a path leads east out of the capital, down a long staircase and into the Forbidden Lands, a narrow, snowy stretch of road leading to the lift. Rest at the Forbidden Lands Site of Grace on the way to register it.
Expect enemies along the road, including a tough foe on horseback, and near the lift itself the Black Blade Kindred, a large gargoyle-like enemy. You do not have to defeat it to use the lift: if you are under-levelled, running past it is a valid option.
Step 3: activate the Grand Lift
Stand on the platform at the end of the road and interact with it. With the Rold Medallion in your inventory, the lift starts to rise and takes you up to the Mountaintops of the Giants, where the first Site of Grace is close to the top.
Without the medallion, the lift will not move, which is the most common reason people think they have taken the wrong path.
The hidden option on the same lift
The Grand Lift of Rold has a second use. If you have collected both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion, holding it up on the lift takes you to the Consecrated Snowfield instead, an optional area that leads towards Miquella’s Haligtree. Most players come back for this later.
Are you ready for the Mountaintops?
The Mountaintops are noticeably harder than Leyndell. Before going up, it is worth spending upgrade materials on your main weapon and checking that your flask allocation suits the area: enemies hit hard and many of them use frost. If progress feels like a wall, exploring optional areas you skipped earlier usually brings your level and gear up to the right point.
