Route 4 is a short path in north Kanto localized between both exits of Mt. Moon and leads towards Cerulean City in the east. Route 4 is situated between Mt. Moon, and because of this the route is split into two segments; the eastern segment and the western segment. Though the official western terminus of Route 4 is at Route 3 south of Mt. Moon's western entrance, the western terminus is regarded by most to be Mt. Moon's eastern entrance.
Route description
Western segment
Route 4 is a uniquely designed route that contains two sections split up by Mt. Moon. On the western portion of the route, there is the western entrance to Mt. Moon, as well as a Pokémon Center. Inside this Pokémon Center, there is a shady man who sells the player a Magikarp for 
500. He is only present in Generations I and III.
The western portion of Route 4 begins by traveling north from the previous route; Route 3 towards the mountain. There are several small ledges spanning from both sides of the route, however, there is enough clearing in the center to pass through. There are also several rocks along the sides that apparently can be mistaken for Geodude as a little explains as she trips on one. By traveling straight on, ahead will be a small Pokémon Center, one of two Pokémon Center's that can be found on a route, the other being on Route 10. The western terminus to Mt. Moon can also be found by traveling west of the Pokémon Center, which has been indented into the mountain face.
In the Pokémon Center, Trainers can heal through Pokémon after a hard journey through Route 3, however, a number of other things can be done in the Pokémon Center. In Generation I and III, a shady man, which happens to be the Magikarp salesman can be found in the corner of the Center selling Trainers a Magikarp for 500. He does not offer a refund. While this may seem something of a ripoff, some players consider it very worthwhile to raise a Magikarp from such an early point in the game, allowing the player to train and evolve it into a Gyarados much earlier than if they had waited until they are given an Old Rod. There is also a man reading a newspaper, reading that Team Rocket are attacking Cerulean citizens.
Eastern segment
From Mt. Moon, Route 4 travels to the east, swerving to the north and the south to avoid ledges along the route. The path turns north, then east near a large clump of trees surrounding a grassy area. The route is a very strange route as the ledges form a contour down the mountainside, leading Trainer's due east and then south to the end of the path and a ledge that will force Trainer's to go down it into a large clump of trees surrounding a grassy area. After going down this ledge, there is no return and Trainer's must go east to reach Cerulean City.
Route 4 can, in fact, be reached from Cerulean City, by using Surf, Trainer's can Surf along to western part of Route 24, south to Cerulean Cave. Trainer's can then travel west, past a Lass on the highest hill, and then jump down the remaining ledges to access this section of the route.
Due to a ledge that separates Mt. Moon from Cerulean City, Trainers cannot return to the previous towns until they travel through Diglett's Cave and use Cut on Route 2, use Fly to return to the cities west of Mt. Moon, or use Surf down from Route 24. The majority of the route is fairly straight-forward as there is only one true way to proceed on the path and there are no trainers to battle (with the exception of the Lass on the highest hill on the route; however, she is reached only by way of the waterway that begins on Route 24).
Depending on the Generation, there are items, Move Tutors, or both along this path. In Generation III, two move tutors were added to the route. Located near the Mt. Moon entrance, these tutors will teach a Pokémon the moves Mega Punch and Mega Kick. Both tutors are jealous of the other's skills and will try to get Trainer's to come to them instead of the other.
Items
Pokémon
Generation I
Although the body of water on the eastern edge of Route 4 is unable to be used for fishing, the game code nevertheless exists for the Pokémon that can be caught there.
Generation II
Generation III
Generation IV
Trainers
Generation I
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Generation II
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Generation III
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| Lass Crissy
メイ May
Reward: ?
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Generation IV
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| Trainers with a Vs. Seeker by their names, when alerted for a rematch using the item, may use higher-level Pokémon.
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Differences among generations
Generation I and III
Route 4 endured minor cosmetic changes but was not unchanged. The "gates" or the gaps in the ledges used for passed up them on the eastern segment were widened significantly, while the patch of tall grass near the Cerulean City entrance has grown in size covering the entire area. In the western segment, rocks and boulders had been included in Generation III for visual effect. Apart from this, most aesthetic features have been enhanced. Trees have become bigger, flowers are more visible, and most other sprites have been upgraded to Generation III standards.
Aside from cosmetic changes, two move tutors were added to the east potion of the route. Located near the Mt. Moon entrance, these tutors will teach a Pokémon the moves Mega Punch and Mega Kick. Both tutors are jealous of the other's skills and will try to get Trainer's to come to them instead of the other. Other than this, only item positions and types were changed. TM04 (Whirlwind), located on the Second-highest hill was changed to TM05 (Roar). The Great Ball hidden in the west segment was replaced by two berries; a Razz and a Persim Berry in similar locations.
Generation II
In Generation II, the eastern potion of Route 4 was cut off and changed to an extension of Route 3. Due to this, Route 4 western entry starts at the eastern entrance of Mt. Moon, although most of the eastern potion remains the same. Along with this, the route was shortened significantly as the length between Mt. Moon and Cerulean City was slashed in half, as was the grassy area, however the layout and positioning of ledges and signposts remains mostly the same. There is no entrance to the Cerulean Cave from this route and the road is blocked off by barriers. The TM was replaced with an HP Up and three trainers were added to the route.
From Mt. Moon, Route 4 travels to the east, swerving to the north and the south to avoid ledges along the route. The path turns north, then east near a large clump of trees surrounding a grassy area. The route is a very strange route as the ledges form a contour down the mountainside, leading Trainer's due east and then south to the end of the path and a ledge that will force Trainer's to go down it into a large clump of trees surrounding a grassy area. After going down this ledge, there is no return and Trainer's must go east to reach Cerulean City.
Generation IV
Other than graphical updates, the basic layout remains the same as previous generations, but the route is no longer flat, due to hills being added to change a more in-depth feel to the route. Like Generation II, the eastern potion of Route 4 was cut off and changed to an extension of Route 3. Due to this, Route 4 western entry starts at the eastern entrance of Mt. Moon. Items and Trainer's remain the same along the route with the TM was replaced with an HP Up and three trainers were added. Unlike Generation II, the Cerulean Cave remains in Cerulean City, however, contrary to Generation I and III, there is no return to this route from the cave, likely to prevent the player go to the west of Kanto without restoring the Power Plant and enter the Diglett's Cave.
From Mt. Moon, Route 4 travels to the east, swerving to the north and the south to avoid ledges along the route. The path turns north, then east near a large clump of trees surrounding a grassy area. The route is a very strange route as the ledges form a contour down the mountainside, leading Trainer's due east and then south to the end of the path and a ledge that will force Trainer's to go down it into a large clump of trees surrounding a grassy area. After going down this ledge, there is no return and Trainer's must go east to reach Cerulean City.
In other media
In the anime
Ash, Misty and Brock hiked along Route 4 at the end of Clefairy and the Moon Stone. They have just left Mt. Moon and are eager to get to Cerulean City. Gary had left a graffito on the sign saying, "Gary was here! Ash is a loser!" Ash took off down the route at a run as the episode ended.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Route 4 is visited in Gyarados Splashes In! and Raging Rhydon in the Red, Green & Blue chapter by Red and Misty. It has a Pokémon Center and is where Mt. Moon is located. After being attacked by a Gyarados, Red decides that they should call Professor Oak from the Pokémon Center.
See also
