You’ve probably been there. You just finished beating Misty in Cerulean City, your team is feeling solid, and you’re ready to storm Saffron City. Then you hit a wall. Or rather, a thirsty guard.
Route 6 Leaf Green is one of those transition zones in Pokémon that feels like a simple straight shot to Vermilion City, but it’s actually a gatekeeper for the mid-game. Honestly, if you don't know the layout or what's hiding in the tall grass, you're just wasting time. It’s a medium-sized path that curves into a bit of an "S" shape, but most players just sprint through it to get to the S.S. Anne. That’s a mistake.
Let’s talk about why this route matters more than you think.
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The Saffron City Lockdown
The first thing you realize about Route 6 is that it’s half of a bypass. Because the Saffron City guards are apparently having a dehydration crisis, you can't walk through the main gates. You have to take the Underground Path.
This tunnel connects Route 5 to Route 6, popping you out just north of the tall grass. It’s basically a long, dark hallway with no wild encounters, which is a blessing if your team is beat up from the Nugget Bridge gauntlet. Once you step out of that southern Underground Path building, you’re officially on Route 6.
There’s a hidden item right near the Saffron City gate too. If you go west of the gatehouse, there’s a small clearing. Check the ground—you’ll usually find a Sitrus Berry hidden in the dirt. It’s not much, but in a Nuzlocke run, that Sitrus Berry is a literal lifesaver.
Trainers You Can’t (and Shouldn’t) Avoid
There are six trainers here. Most of them are pretty forgettable, but they’re essential for that early-game level grind. If you’re playing Leaf Green specifically, you’re probably looking for any edge you can get before facing Lt. Surge’s Raichu.
- Camper Ricky: He’s got a Level 20 Squirtle. If you started with Charmander, this is where you might struggle if you haven’t caught a Bellsprout or Pikachu yet.
- Picnicker Nancy: Watch out for her Pikachu. It’s only Level 20, but it can paralyze your team and make the trek to the Pokémon Center in Vermilion a nightmare.
- Bug Catcher Keigo: He’s still rocking a Weedle and Caterpie. Basically free XP.
- Camper Jeff: He has a Spearow and a Raticate. That Raticate hits surprisingly hard with Hyper Fang if you aren’t careful.
Most of these trainers can be bypassed if you hug the fences, but why would you? The level curve in Kanto is notoriously weird. You need every scrap of experience. Interestingly, if you come back later in the game (like after beating the Elite Four), some of these trainers actually have rematches available via the VS Seeker, and their teams get significantly beefier.
What’s Actually in the Grass?
The encounter table for Route 6 is a bit different between FireRed and Leaf Green. Since we’re focusing on Route 6 Leaf Green, you’re looking at a specific set of spawns.
Basically, the grass is Pidgey central. You’ll see them constantly. But the real reason people hang out here is for Meowth. In Leaf Green, Meowth has a high encounter rate on this route. Why does that matter? Pickup. If you catch a couple of Meowths with the Pickup ability and keep them in your party while you walk around, they’ll constantly find free items like Rare Candies, Full Restores, or Nuggets. It is the single best way to fund your Poké Ball addiction early on.
You’ll also find:
- Oddish (FireRed exclusive, sorry!)
- Bellsprout (This is your Leaf Green grass-type hero for this area)
- Mankey (Great for taking on the Raticates)
- Poliwag (If you have a rod)
The pond in the middle of the route is often overlooked. If you come back later with Surf, you can find Psyduck and the occasional Golduck. It’s a peaceful spot, but most people forget it exists because by the time they have Surf, they’re already flying over Route 6 to get to the move relearner or the Safari Zone.
The "S" Curve Strategy
The geography here is designed to funnel you into battles. As you head south, the path turns southwest before hitting a "T" intersection. Going east takes you to the Underground Path; going south takes you toward Vermilion.
The tall grass borders the dirt road almost the entire way. If you’re low on health, stay on the brown path. The wild Pokémon won't jump you there.
There’s a small clearing on the western side just before you hit the Vermilion City limits. Two trainers usually hang out there, eager to jump you right as you see the city lights. Don’t get complacent.
Moving Forward: Your Route 6 Checklist
So, what should you actually do when you hit Route 6? Don't just hold the "Down" button on your D-pad.
First, grab that hidden Sitrus Berry by the Saffron gate. It’s a freebie. Next, fight every single trainer. The jump in difficulty once you hit the S.S. Anne and the Vermilion Gym is real, and you don’t want to be underleveled.
If you don't have a solid Grass-type yet, catch a Bellsprout here. It’ll make the upcoming Diglett’s Cave much easier to manage, and it’s a decent counter for the Water-types on the S.S. Anne.
Lastly, if you have the patience, farm a Meowth with Pickup. Seriously. Even if you don't use it in battle, having it sit in your sixth party slot will net you thousands of Poké-yen in items over the course of your journey. Once you're done, head south into Vermilion City, grab the VS Seeker from the Pokémon Center, and get ready for the real grind.