Johto and Kanto Gold/Silver walkthrough hub

Pokemon Gold and Silver Walkthrough

Complete Pokemon Gold and Silver walkthrough with Johto and Kanto section pages for wild Pokemon, trainers, hidden items, bosses, gifts, trades, swarms, roamers, legendaries, and Red.

By Damodar Sharma Updated June 23, 2026 Walkthrough

Complete Pokemon Gold and Silver walkthrough for Johto and Kanto, built as 18 phases plus dedicated section pages. It uses pret/pokegold for wild encounters, trainers, trainer parties, item balls, hidden items, fruit trees, phone rematches, rods, Headbutt trees, swarms, trades, static Pokemon, Game Corner prizes, and trainer assets.

Gold/Silver walkthrough

Follow the hub for badge order, then open each section page for source-backed tables. Crystal-only content is intentionally excluded: this is the original Gold/Silver route, version splits, time tables, swarms, roamers, and Kanto badge cleanup.

ScopeMain story + Kanto + Red Format18 phases, 67 section pages Clock noteMorning/day/night encounters

Quick Start

Pick Cyndaquil for the simplest early route, Totodile for steady neutral damage, or Chikorita if you want the hardest first-badge curve.
Gold/Silver encounters are split by game, morning/day/night, Surf, rods, Headbutt common/rare trees, Rock Smash, swarms, Bug-Catching Contest, static Pokemon, roamers, trades, and gifts.
Do not follow Crystal-only flags here; Kris, Buena, Odd Egg, Eusine's Crystal Suicune story, and Crystal Battle Tower content are not part of this guide.
Completion needs trades and version exclusives beyond one cartridge. In-game trades, Game Corner prizes, roamers, Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Unown unlocks are tracked in their section pages.

Walkthrough Table Of Contents

Phase 1: Zephyr Badge

New Bark Town through Violet Gym, with the starter errand, Sprout Tower, early Headbutt trees, and Falkner. Target levels: 10-15 · Reward: Zephyr Badge, TM31 Mud-Slap, Togepi Egg setup

New Bark Town and Route 29

Pick a starter, complete Elm's first errand, and learn the Route 29 catch table.

Cherrygrove City, Route 30, and Mr. Pokemon

Reach Mr. Pokemon, collect the Mystery Egg, and handle the first Rival branch.

Route 31, Dark Cave, and Violet City

Enter Violet with Route 31, the first Dark Cave entrance, and Kyle's Onix trade available.

Sprout Tower

Clear Bellsprout trainers, collect tower items, and unlock Flash access.

Violet Gym

Beat Falkner and collect Zephyr Badge plus TM31.

Phase 2: Hive Badge

Route 32, Ruins of Alph, Union Cave, Slowpoke Well, Azalea Gym, and Ilex Forest. Target levels: 15-20 · Reward: Hive Badge, TM49 Fury Cutter, Cut access

Route 32 and Ruins of Alph

Move south from Violet, open the early Ruins puzzle path, and collect the Route 32 rod/gift checks.

Union Cave and Route 33

Cross Union Cave, note Friday Lapras for later, and exit to Azalea.

Azalea Town and Slowpoke Well

Stop Team Rocket, get Kurt's help, and clear Slowpoke Well.

Azalea Gym

Beat Bugsy and take the second badge.

Ilex Forest and Cut

Handle the Farfetch'd puzzle, earn Cut access, and exit toward Goldenrod.

Phase 3: Plain Badge

Route 34, Goldenrod, the Underground, Whitney, National Park, Bug-Catching Contest, and Sudowoodo. Target levels: 20-26 · Reward: Plain Badge, TM45 Attract, SquirtBottle path

Route 34 and Day Care

Use the first full breeding route and prepare for Goldenrod.

Goldenrod City and Underground

Collect city gifts, Game Corner prizes, department store trade, and Underground trainers.

Goldenrod Gym

Beat Whitney and claim Plain Badge after the badge speech.

National Park, Route 35, and Bug-Catching Contest

Clear Route 35, Kenya's mail gate, and the Contest table.

Route 36, Sudowoodo, and Route 37

Use SquirtBottle, open the Ecruteak road, and collect apricorn trees.

Phase 4: Fog Badge

Ecruteak, the Kimono Girls, Burned Tower, legendary beast release, Morty, and the west road. Target levels: 24-30 · Reward: Fog Badge, TM30 Shadow Ball, Surf use

Ecruteak City and Dance Theater

Meet Bill, clear the Kimono Girl fights, and collect Ecruteak gifts.

Burned Tower

Fight the Rival, release Raikou/Entei/Suicune, and read the basement encounters.

Ecruteak Gym

Beat Morty and unlock field Surf.

Routes 38 and 39

Head toward Olivine through Miltank country and note the Snubbull swarm route.

Phase 5: Storm Badge

Olivine Lighthouse, Routes 40-41, Cianwood, Chuck, and the medicine errand. Target levels: 28-33 · Reward: Storm Badge, HM02 Fly, SecretPotion

Olivine City and Lighthouse

Climb the Lighthouse, meet Amphy, and get Good Rod access.

Routes 40 and 41

Surf to Cianwood and log sea route encounters before Whirl Islands are fully open.

Cianwood City and Gym

Get the SecretPotion, beat Chuck, and unlock Fly.

Phase 6: Mineral Badge

Return the SecretPotion to Amphy and challenge Jasmine. Target levels: 32-36 · Reward: Mineral Badge, TM23 Iron Tail

Return to Olivine

Finish the Lighthouse errand and prepare for Steel-types.

Olivine Gym

Beat Jasmine and collect Mineral Badge.

Phase 7: Glacier Badge

Route 42, Mt. Mortar, Lake of Rage, Rocket HQ, Radio Tower, and Pryce. Target levels: 32-38 · Reward: Glacier Badge, TM16 Icy Wind, Team Rocket cleared

Route 42 and Mt. Mortar

Cross the eastern Johto mountain path and note Marill swarm plus Tyrogue for later.

Mahogany Town, Route 43, and Lake of Rage

Trigger the Red Gyarados story and collect Lake of Rage encounters.

Team Rocket Base

Clear the hideout, passwords, executives, and Electrode static battles.

Goldenrod Radio Tower and Underground Warehouse

Retake Goldenrod, clear the executive fights, and recover the tower.

Mahogany Gym

Beat Pryce and claim Glacier Badge.

Phase 8: Rising Badge

Route 44, Ice Path, Blackthorn, Clair, and Dragon's Den. Target levels: 36-42 · Reward: Rising Badge, TM24 DragonBreath, Dragon's Den clear

Route 44

Use the last Johto east route and Remoraid swarm fishing group.

Ice Path

Cross Ice Path, collect HM07 Waterfall, and log Swinub/Jynx cave tables.

Blackthorn City and Gym

Fight through Blackthorn Gym and beat Clair.

Dragon's Den

Pass Clair's trial, collect the badge reward, and note Dratini fishing.

Phase 9: Pokemon League

Routes 45-46 cleanup, Tohjo Falls, Victory Road, Elite Four, and Champion Lance. Target levels: 42-50 · Reward: Hall of Fame, S.S. Ticket

Routes 45 and 46 Cleanup

Drop from Blackthorn and collect missed mountain-route encounters and fruit trees.

Route 27 and Tohjo Falls

Enter Kanto territory and cross Tohjo Falls.

Route 26 and Pokemon League Gate

Clear the final trainer route and reach Indigo Plateau.

Victory Road

Finish the final Rival1 branch before the League.

Elite Four and Champion Lance

Beat Will, Koga, Bruno, Karen, and Lance.

Phase 10: Kanto Arrival + Thunder Badge

S.S. Aqua arrival, Vermilion, Snorlax setup, and Lt. Surge. Target levels: 45-50 · Reward: Thunder Badge, Kanto exploration open

S.S. Aqua

Sail to Kanto and clear the ship trainers.

Vermilion City and Route 11

Land in Kanto, note Snorlax, and clear the east road.

Vermilion Gym

Beat Lt. Surge and claim the first Kanto badge.

Phase 11: Marsh Badge

Saffron, Route 6, Celadon connection, and Sabrina. Target levels: 46-52 · Reward: Marsh Badge, Copycat errand path

Routes 5, 6, 7, and 8

Open central Kanto routes around Saffron and Celadon.

Saffron City

Visit Copycat, Silph, Fighting Dojo remains, and Magnet Train setup.

Saffron Gym

Beat Sabrina and claim Marsh Badge.

Phase 12: Rainbow Badge

Celadon city checks, Game Corner prizes, and Erika. Target levels: 46-52 · Reward: Rainbow Badge, Celadon prizes

Celadon City and Game Corner

Collect Celadon shopping, prize room, and city gift data.

Celadon Gym

Beat Erika and take Rainbow Badge.

Phase 13: Soul Badge

Routes 12-18, Cycling Road, Fuchsia City, and Janine. Target levels: 45-52 · Reward: Soul Badge, southern Kanto routes cleared

Routes 12 to 15

Clear the long eastern Kanto route chain and fishing checks.

Routes 16 to 18 and Cycling Road

Clear west Kanto cycling routes and gates.

Fuchsia City and Gym

Visit the closed Safari Zone area, collect fruit, and beat Janine.

Phase 14: Cascade Badge

Power Plant, Rock Tunnel, Cerulean, Nugget Bridge, and Misty. Target levels: 48-54 · Reward: Cascade Badge, Power Plant restored

Power Plant, Route 9, and Route 10

Start the Machine Part quest and cover the Rock Tunnel approach.

Rock Tunnel

Clear optional Rock Tunnel encounters and trainers.

Cerulean City, Routes 24 and 25

Find the Machine Part, visit Bill's grandfather, and reach Misty.

Cerulean Gym

Beat Misty and claim Cascade Badge.

Phase 15: Volcano Badge

Sea Route 19-21, Cinnabar Island, Pallet Town, and Blaine. Target levels: 48-55 · Reward: Volcano Badge, Cinnabar/Seafoam clear

Routes 19 and 20, Seafoam Islands

Surf the southern sea routes and reach Blaine's temporary Gym.

Cinnabar Island, Route 21, and Pallet Town

Visit the ruined island, Pallet, and the south Kanto shoreline.

Seafoam Gym

Beat Blaine for Volcano Badge.

Phase 16: Boulder Badge

Viridian Forest route, Pewter City, Mt. Moon, and Brock. Target levels: 50-56 · Reward: Boulder Badge, Silver Wing/Rainbow Wing late legendary path

Route 2, Viridian Forest, and Diglett's Cave

Use Diglett's Cave and the Route 2 forest corridor.

Pewter City and Gym

Collect Pewter gifts/trades and beat Brock.

Mt. Moon and Routes 3-4

Clear Mt. Moon's Rival2 branch and the northeast Kanto route.

Phase 17: Earth Badge

Viridian City, Blue, and final badge clearance. Target levels: 55-60 · Reward: Earth Badge, Mt. Silver access

Viridian City and Route 1

Loop through Route 1 and prepare for the final Gym.

Route 22 and Viridian Gym

Clear the western edge and beat Blue.

Phase 18: Mt. Silver + Red + Completion

Route 28, Mt. Silver, Red, Tin Tower, Whirl Islands, Ruins of Alph, roamers, swarms, trades, and version cleanup. Target levels: 60-75+ · Reward: Red defeated, legendary and Pokedex cleanup

Route 28 and Silver Cave Outside

Enter the final wild area after all 16 badges.

Mt. Silver and Red

Climb Mt. Silver and defeat Red.

Whirl Islands and Lugia

Return with Whirlpool and the Silver Wing for Lugia cleanup.

Tin Tower and Ho-Oh

Climb Tin Tower after the Rainbow Wing route is available.

Ruins of Alph Completion

Solve all four puzzles and log every Unown unlock set.

Completion Cleanup

Finish trades, Game Corner prizes, swarms, roamers, version exclusives, and external evolution/trade requirements.

Phase Planner

Phase	Target level	Main reward	Section pages
Phase 1: Zephyr Badge	10-15	Zephyr Badge, TM31 Mud-Slap, Togepi Egg setup	5
Phase 2: Hive Badge	15-20	Hive Badge, TM49 Fury Cutter, Cut access	5
Phase 3: Plain Badge	20-26	Plain Badge, TM45 Attract, SquirtBottle path	5
Phase 4: Fog Badge	24-30	Fog Badge, TM30 Shadow Ball, Surf use	4
Phase 5: Storm Badge	28-33	Storm Badge, HM02 Fly, SecretPotion	3
Phase 6: Mineral Badge	32-36	Mineral Badge, TM23 Iron Tail	2
Phase 7: Glacier Badge	32-38	Glacier Badge, TM16 Icy Wind, Team Rocket cleared	5
Phase 8: Rising Badge	36-42	Rising Badge, TM24 DragonBreath, Dragon's Den clear	4
Phase 9: Pokemon League	42-50	Hall of Fame, S.S. Ticket	5
Phase 10: Kanto Arrival + Thunder Badge	45-50	Thunder Badge, Kanto exploration open	3
Phase 11: Marsh Badge	46-52	Marsh Badge, Copycat errand path	3
Phase 12: Rainbow Badge	46-52	Rainbow Badge, Celadon prizes	2
Phase 13: Soul Badge	45-52	Soul Badge, southern Kanto routes cleared	3
Phase 14: Cascade Badge	48-54	Cascade Badge, Power Plant restored	4
Phase 15: Volcano Badge	48-55	Volcano Badge, Cinnabar/Seafoam clear	3
Phase 16: Boulder Badge	50-56	Boulder Badge, Silver Wing/Rainbow Wing late legendary path	3
Phase 17: Earth Badge	55-60	Earth Badge, Mt. Silver access	2
Phase 18: Mt. Silver + Red + Completion	60-75+	Red defeated, legendary and Pokedex cleanup	6

Trainer Assets

Falkner

Bugsy

Whitney

Morty

Chuck

Jasmine

Pryce

Clair

Will

Koga

Bruno

Karen

Champion

Blue

Red

Trainer art set

Gen II trainer class portraits are cached locally from pret/pokegold/gfx/trainers and mapped in the manifest for trainer tables and boss sections.

Trainer portraits66 Manifest/guides/pokemon-gold-silver-trainer-images.json Pokemon sprites/guides/pokemon-gold-silver-pokemon-sprites.json

Sources

pret/pokegold is the source of truth for Gold/Silver wild encounters, trainer parties, map object events, hidden events, rods, Headbutt trees, swarms, trades, and trainer portraits.
Trainer rewards use the source formula: trainer class base reward multiplied by the level of the last enemy Pokemon.
Encounter rows aggregate duplicate slots by species, level range, method, time, version, and condition while preserving source odds.