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[[File:Kanto Route 1 HGSS.png|thumb|160px|The most recent layout of [[Kanto Route 1]], the first and most well known route in the Pokémon world.]]
[[File:Capsule Monsters Route.jpg|thumb|160px|[[Ken Sugimori]]'s [[Capsule Monsters|concept sketch]] of two trainers interacting on a route.]]
A '''route''' (Japanese: '''{{tt|道路|どうろ}}''' ''route'') in the [[Pokémon world]] is a passage permitting Trainers and others to travel between locations with relative ease. Usually what defines a route is a location between two or more cities, however many passageways between cities are too long, thus, this passageway can be broken down into several routes, each joining onto another route at its terminal. Routes are depicted as a long, narrow, and sometimes winding roads, riddled with obstacles such as rocks, trees and even [[ledge]]s blocking the pathway. Although routes are a barricaded area, they are difficult to maneuver around and are a maze of winding paths that Trainers strive to explore. Routes in the [[Pokémon games]], unlike the [[Pokémon anime]], are formed as a straight path with two or more termini and depicted as a bordered off, barricaded area. Land routes are usually surrounded by trees so thick that even Trainers cannot penetrate them, causing them to act as a barrier to stop players from venturing further.

Most routes are associated with [[tall grass]] in which [[wild Pokémon]], including [[Roaming Pokémon]], can be found. If the player enters a patch of tall grass, they may randomly enter a wild Pokémon battle. Tall grass is found on most routes of the Pokémon world, with some routes containing more tall grass patches than others. People are generally warned to stay out of tall grass if they don't have a Pokémon due to the possibility of being attacked by wild Pokémon. Some areas in the [[Pokémon world]] have larger patches of grass than usual. These patches of grass have grown {{DL|Tall grass|Long grass|longer}} and more widespread than the usual grass patches, hiding many different species of Pokémon. Because of the length and thickness of the grass, it is impossible to ride a [[bicycle]] or [[Running Shoes|run]] through the patches in [[Generation III]].

Pokémon Trainers localize themselves in routes to train their Pokémon. They do this normally by battling the wild Pokémon that live in the tall grass, however, many Trainer wish to gain experience further by challenging other Trainers to a battle, and no matter what their specialties or aims, there is one code that they all follow: when two Trainers make eye contact, they must have a battle. However, not all people travelling through a route wish to have a battle, many just want to get to another town or city easily, and therefore will sometimes help other Trainers with friendly advice. Trainers also carelessly drop items on the ground while passing by a route, and so another Trainer is able to come by and take it. Although, these ground items can be obtained through natural means, items are very often found by Trainers throughout every route. These ground items are called 'Item Balls' because they are spherical containers resembling a small [[Poké Ball]]. However, finding items on the ground is not always as easy as seeing it and picking it up. Many items are hidden from view, and can only be obtained by a very lucky chance or, more commonly, through the use of an [[Itemfinder|item finding tool]].

Although each region has its own set of numbered routes, there are numerous other passages throughout the Pokémon world, all of which are named, that can be considered routes as well.

==Systematization of routes==
===Numbered route===
{{main|List of routes in the Pokémon world}}
Up to [[Generation V]], there are 135 numbered routes in the Pokémon world, all identified simply as ''Route'' followed by their number. Routes numbered {{rtn|1|Kanto}} through {{rtn|25|Kanto}} (and {{rtn|26|Kanto}} through {{rtn|28|Kanto}} as well in [[Generation II]] and [[Generation IV]]) are in [[Kanto]], routes numbered {{rtn|29|Johto}} through {{rtn|46|Johto}} (and {{rtn|47|Johto}} through {{rtn|48|Johto}} as well in [[Generation IV]]) are in [[Johto]], routes numbered {{rtn|101|Hoenn}} through {{rtn|134|Hoenn}} are in [[Hoenn]], routes numbered {{rtn|201|Sinnoh}} through {{rtn|230|Sinnoh}} are in [[Sinnoh]], routes numbered {{rtn|1|Unova}} through {{rtn|23|Unova}} are in [[Unova]], starting the system over, and routes numbered {{rtn|1|Kalos}} through {{rtn|22|Kalos}} are in [[Kalos]].

Hoenn and Sinnoh's routes do not follow sequentially from the previous generation's focused-on region, likely due to the fact that the regions introduced in previous generations are not able to be visited in games focusing on Hoenn and Sinnoh. This is unlike what was the case with the games of [[Generation II]], where Johto's routes picked up where Kanto's left off, and Kanto was able to be visited. As of yet there are no regions with routes numbered to fill in between Johto's and Hoenn's (which would number 49 to 100) or from Hoenn's to Sinnoh's (which would number 135 to 200).

[[Unova]]'s numbering system, on the other hand, follows neither system. Unova systematically begins at {{rt|1|Unova}}, which parallels Kanto's route numbering system. This was likely due to show that Unova is distant from the existing four regions, with its routes following a new numbering system.

The numbering of the routes in the Pokémon world may also be a reference to Japan's own national route system, which goes from {{wp|Japan National Route 1|1}} to {{wp|Japan National Route 58|58}}, then skips directly to {{wp|Japan National Route 101|101}}, and afterwards skips several numbers. Despite this, the routes do not run concurrent with their Pokémon counterparts, and indeed in Japan there exists a {{wp|Japan National Route 135|Route 135}}, a {{wp|Japan National Route 231|Route 231}}, and so on, up to {{wp|Japan National Route 507|Route 507}}. Strangely, the only numbers skipped are routes whose numbers are used in [[Hoenn]] and [[Sinnoh]].

===Named route===
Not every route is known by a number. Some routes have a unique, descriptive name. A named route can be described as a tunnel, a path, a simple cave (where simple implies that the main path of the cave is on a single floor) or a forest that links two different locations. Under this definition, named roads such as [[Diglett's Cave]], [[Ilex Forest]], and [[Union Cave]] classify as a route. Locations such as the [[Rock Tunnel]], [[Viridian Forest]], and [[Mt. Moon]] do not. Of course, the seventeen named paths and one small cave between the main cities and major landmarks of the [[Sevii Islands]] count as routes under this as well.

==Types of routes==
===Terrain routes===
[[File:Gold explores Route 29.png|thumb|200px|Ethan exploring {{rt|29|Johto}}]] 
'''Terrain routes''' are located on land and are the first most Trainers come across. These routes can come in the form of forests, deserts, plains, mountainous, swamps, beaches or just grassland. Some of these routes have certain [[weather conditions|weather patterns]]. Most of the time, routes will maintain a clear and sunny climate; however, some routes may suffer from heavy rain, thunderstorms, sandstorms, fog, or snow. These conditions will not only affect [[Pokémon battle]]s, but also hazards for players. For example, foggy routes are harder to travel on.

Most routes are associated with [[tall grass]] in which [[wild Pokémon]] can be found. If a Trainer enters a patch of tall grass, they may randomly enter a wild Pokémon battle. Tall grass is found on most routes of the Pokémon world, with some routes containing more grassy patches than others. People are generally warned to stay out of tall grass if they don't have a Pokémon, because if they are attacked by a wild Pokémon they will not be able to defend themselves. There are many different types of grass, which vary from route to route.

Pokémon Trainers localize themselves in routes to train their Pokémon. Pokémon Trainers come in all sorts of [[Trainer class|classes]]: {{tc|Youngster}}s tend to stay close to home, {{tc|Bug Catcher}}s swarm about the {{t|Bug}}-filled forests, {{tc|Hiker}}s traverse mountains and [[cave]]s, {{tc|Fisherman|Fishermen}} are rarely far from water, and {{tc|Ace Trainer}}s aspire to compete in the [[Pokémon League]]. A Trainer's class may reflect their Pokémon of choice, the areas they prefer, their technique, and their level of skill; however, even within their classes, Trainers may vary greatly.

===Sea routes===
{{main|Water route}}
[[File:Surf III OW.png|thumb|right|Brendan exploring by {{m|surf}}ing on a water route]]

A '''sea route''' (Japanese: '''{{tt|水道|すいどう}}''' ''water route'') is a term used to describe a route in the Pokémon world that is almost completely made up of water. They can be traversed only by {{m|Surf}}ing on the back of a Pokémon or by using a marine vehicle such as a boat. In the four generations of Pokémon video games, the style of sea routes has changed very little. Sea routes are typically long in length and are located in the ocean. They are also densely populated with Trainers, particularly {{tc|Swimmer}}s with Water-type Pokémon. Rocks are usually present as barriers. Depending on the route, there may be islands that allow Trainers to rest or obtain items. Some regions have unique challenges to be faced on sea routes. The [[Johto]] region is home to {{m|Whirlpool}}s which prohibit navigation; and some routes in [[Hoenn]] have deep spots where it is possible to {{m|Dive}} to the ocean floor.

On sea routes (and ponds located within terrain routes) there is a chance that a [[wild Pokémon]] will attack at any time. Trainers are required to be alert at all times. {{p|Tentacool}} and its evolution {{p|Tentacruel}} are very common on sea routes; pond-dwelling Pokémon vary between regions.

Sea routes are a very important mechanic of the games and traversing them is usually required to complete the game. Up until [[Generation IV]], all main series games have required Surf to be used to reach at least one [[Gym]] and the [[Pokémon League]]. [[Generation V]] breaks this trend, with all [[Unova]] Gyms and the League accessible by land.

==See also==
* [[List of routes in the Pokémon world]] for a list of all numbered and named routes
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{{Project Routes}}

[[Category:Routes]]

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