Kanto Route 6

Route 6 (Japanese: ６ばんどうろ Route 6) is a route in central Kanto, connecting Vermilion City and Saffron City. The southern end of the is located on this route.

Route description
Route 6 is a medium sized pathway that curves around to form a "S" shape with tall grass surrounding the route to form the shape. In the middle of the route there is a large pond that expands out and forms the pathway heading though the route. Heading south from the gate, the route turns to the southwest before following a path that is bordered by grass for most of the route. After intersecting a path that leads to the 's south entrance, the route travels south, turning to the east ahead of a large pond and returning south along the pond's eastern shore. The route then doubles back to the west along the south side of the pond before turning south for the final time just north of the Vermilion City limits.

Route 6 can be accessed two ways from the northern side: from the gate coming from Saffron City, or the which leads directly from. If Trainers enter the route from the Saffron terminus, they must go through a set of ledges; however if Trainers roam east or west of the gate, they will find a small clearing where an item will be hidden in the middle of the field. After the player jumps down the southern set of ledges, they will find themselves on a dirt road of which it forms a "T" intersection, surrounding itself by tall grass. By going east at the intersection, Trainers can reach the building of which the second northern terminus begins.

From the Underground Path building, the dirt road will turn west and follow parallel to the large patch of tall grass until it forms the "T" intersection, of which going west leads nowhere, while going south will lead Trainers along a winding track to Vermilion City. By traveling south, the road will turn through the large patch of tall grass coming from east and west of the pathway. The route then swivels east ahead of a large pond's water front, which will then return south again along the pond's eastern shoreline, and then doubles back to the west along the south side of the pond creating an "S" like shape. The road turns south for the final time and will head toward the outskirts of Vermilion City. Along the final stretch, there will be a small clearing on the western side, and a small patch of tall grass where two Trainers will be training their Pokémon, and will be eager for a battle.

Generation I and III
In Generations and, the layout of Route 6 is basically the same. The depiction of Route 6 is almost identical in Generations and, however there are still several minor changes in the made within the layout. The fields on the northern-most tips of the route have greatly increased in size, while the area of tall grass has also grown dramatically adding an extra layer. Apart from this, most aesthetic features have been enhanced. Trees have become bigger, the cement road has been changed to a gravel path, flowers are more visible and most other sprites have been upgraded to Generation III standards.

Generation II
In Generation II, the route was drastically shortened. The pond was cut in half length-wise, while the area of tall grass was also cut shorter. The pond figure changed dramatically, and has curled around the outside on the south western part of the route, forming a backward "L" shape. The fields on the northern-most tips of the route have greatly decreased in size, while the area of tall grass has also shrunken dramatically, forming a little patch of tall grass around the place. Also, there are no s on the route in ; however, there are two in.

Generation IV
Route 6 has changed completely in its Generation IV appearance while the layout has changed dramatically. Route 6 can be accessed two ways from the northern side: from the gate coming from Saffron City, or the which leads directly from Route 6. Coming from the Saffron City entrance, the route goes through a set of ledges down to a dirt road which forms a "T" intersection. The ledges east and west of the gate are no longer present, and are replaced by a small ledge on the north-western corner of the route. After the player jumps down the southern set of ledges, they will find themselves on a dirt road of which it forms a "T" intersection, surrounding itself by tall grass. By going east at the intersection, Trainers can reach the building of which the second northern terminus begins.

From the Underground Path building, the dirt road will turn west and follow parallel to the large patch of tall grass until it forms the "T" intersection, of which going west leads no where, while going south will lead Trainers along a winding, however, shortened track to Vermilion City. By traveling south, the road will turn through the large patch of tall grass coming from east and west of the pathway. The route then swivels east ahead of a large pond's water front, which will then return south again along the pond's eastern shoreline, which will then travel along a straight north-south path to Vermilion City. The large pond is now located in the center of the route, and Trainers are able to follow the west shoreline by traveling to the western corner which is covered by tall grass. Because the position of the Vermilion entry is moved, there now is a path to the western side of the track that does a loop around, while having a patch of tall grass in the center of the looped track. Like in Generation II, the route has decreased in size; a change like this is rare in the Generation IV remakes, as HeartGold and SoulSilver have typically kept routes similar in size to that of FireRed and LeafGreen.

In the anime
Route 6 is not shown in the at all, but it is mistaken for Route 24 in Charmander – The Stray Pokémon, Here Comes the Squirtle Squad, and Mystery at the Lighthouse. In the English dub, Ash says that leads straight to Vermilion City. In the games, Route 24 is just north of Cerulean City, which the gang left from four episodes (and, according to Misty, ten days) prior. The quickest way to get to Vermilion in the is through the underground path on  — just south of Cerulean. This probably shouldn't be written off as a character flaw, either, given that the gang meets Bill two episodes later (presumably on ), and this actually does get them to Vermilion, which they reach the following episode.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Route 6 made a brief appearance in Kalling Kadabra, where was not allowed into Saffron City via the gate.

In Storming the Forretress, told his  to take  to his eighteenth hideout, located on Route 6. When he later went to the hideout himself, neither Ursaring or his father could be found there.

Trivia

 * In, the Jr. Trainers with the and  appear to be based on  and Giselle from The School of Hard Knocks.