You’re lost. Again.
If you played Pokémon X or Y back in 2013, or if you’re dusting off your 3DS right now to prep for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The Winding Woods in Pokemon X—otherwise known as Route 20—is a masterclass in making players want to hurl their handheld across the room. It’s thick. It’s green. Everything looks identical. One wrong turn and you're back at the start, staring at that same patch of grass and wondering where it all went wrong.
Honestly, the Winding Woods isn't just a transition area. It’s a puzzle. It sits right between Snowbelle City and the Pokémon Village, acting as a final atmospheric gatekeeper before you reach the endgame. Most routes in Kalos are pretty straightforward, basically just long hallways with some tall grass. Not this one. Route 20 uses a "lost woods" mechanic that mimics older RPGs, where the screen fades to white if you take the wrong exit, resetting your progress.
It's brilliant. It's also annoying.
Navigating the Confusion of Route 20
Getting through the Winding Woods in Pokemon X requires more than just high-leveled monsters; it requires a literal sense of direction that the game tries its hardest to scramble. The gimmick here is visual cues. Most people just try to run through blindly, but that’s a recipe for a headache. You have to look at the trees. Notice the moss? The positioning of the stumps? Those aren't just decorative.
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If you’re trying to reach the Pokémon Village—which is the main goal for most players—you have to follow a specific path. From the entrance, you're generally moving south and west, but the game loops the map. To get to the village, you head south from the entrance, then west, then south, then northwest. If you see a pile of red leaves, you're usually on the right track. But here's the kicker: there are secret paths.
The forest hides the Forest Curse, or rather, the TM for it. If you want to find the Meadow Plate or the Protein hidden in the brush, you have to intentionally get "lost" in the side loops. It's a risk. You might end up back at the Snowbelle entrance and have to start the whole trek over. Some players use the "follow the shadows" trick, but honestly, the most reliable way is just to memorize the landmarks like the large, hollowed-out tree trunks.
The Pokémon You'll Actually Find Here
Let's talk encounters. The Winding Woods in Pokemon X isn't just a maze; it's a goldmine for specific types. This is the only place in the game where you can find Trevenant and Phantump in the wild. It makes sense, right? Creepy living trees in a creepy living forest.
- Noctowl and Jigglypuff: These are your common fillers. Not super exciting, but they add to the "nighttime forest" vibe even during the day.
- Zoroark: This is the big prize. Seeing a Zoroark jump out of the shaking tall grass is a rush. It fits the illusion theme of the woods perfectly.
- Amoonguss: Watch your step. Those Poké Ball-looking sprites on the ground? Half the time they're just Amoonguss waiting to Spore your lead Pokémon into a coma.
Interestingly, if you’re a fan of the "Screaming" urban legends, this forest has plenty of atmosphere to fuel them. The music is dissonant. The color palette is heavy on the desaturated greens and browns. It feels isolated in a way the rest of Kalos—which is usually bright and fashionable—just doesn't.
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The Mystery of the Moss Rock
Deep within the Winding Woods in Pokemon X, there’s a massive, moss-covered boulder. If you’ve played Sinnoh, you know what’s up. This is the Moss Rock. It’s the specific geographical requirement for evolving Eevee into Leafeon.
You can't just use a Leaf Stone. That would be too easy. No, you have to bring your Eevee specifically to this screen in Route 20 and level it up nearby. It’s a bit of a trek, especially since by the time you reach Snowbelle City, your team is likely already set. But for the completionists, this rock is the only reason to keep coming back to the maze once the main story is over.
Why This Route Still Matters for Legends: Z-A
With the announcement of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, everyone is looking back at Kalos. We know the game takes place in Lumiose City, but there's heavy speculation about how the surrounding areas, like the Winding Woods in Pokemon X, will be represented.
If Legends: Z-A deals with the history of the region or the "Urban Redevelopment Plan," the forest might be the origin of the timber used to build the city, or perhaps a protected sacred grove. In X and Y, the forest feels ancient. It feels like it was there long before the high-tech Gyms and the ultimate weapon. Understanding the layout now might give us clues about how the wild areas of the new game will function.
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Tips for a Painless Crossing
If you are stuck right now, stop moving. Take a breath.
First, turn off your "fast" brain. If you try to bike through, you’ll miss the subtle path openings. Use the D-pad for more precision than the circle pad. Second, bring a Pokémon with "Sweet Scent" or a bunch of Honey if you're trying to find Trevenant in hordes. It’s way faster than individual encounters.
Third, look for the gaps in the treeline. The "white-out" transition only happens when you walk into a wall of trees that isn't a designated exit. If the ground texture changes slightly—moving from grass to dirt—you're usually transitioning to a new "room" of the maze.
The Winding Woods in Pokemon X is a test of patience. It’s Game Freak’s way of slowing you down before the final showdown with Wulfric and the subsequent trek to the Pokémon League. It’s atmospheric, frustrating, and memorable for all the right (and wrong) reasons.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
- Clear your inventory: Make sure you have enough Ultra Balls before entering. You don't want to find a Shiny Zoroark and realize you're down to three Great Balls and a Dream Ball.
- Mark the Moss Rock: If you plan on evolving multiple Eevees for a Living Dex, drop a mental pin on the screen with the large boulder. It’s located toward the northern section of the deeper forest.
- Hunt the Hordes: Use the Winding Woods to grind for EVs if you need them; Trevenant hordes are great for Attack EVs.
- Find the Pokémon Village: Don't leave the forest until you've exited through the south-most path to find the hidden village. It’s where you’ll eventually find Mewtwo in the Unknown Cave after beating the Elite Four.
- Check the trash cans: On certain days of the week, the trash cans in the Pokémon Village (just outside the woods) shake. They contain rare items and even Banette.