How To Get To The Fortree Gym

If you’re playing Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, or their modern remakes and need to challenge Winona, you need to know how to get to the Fortree Gym. Navigating the Hoenn region to find the Fortree Gym involves traversing its unique treetop pathways. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions for every version of the game.

We’ll cover the prerequisites, the exact route from Mauville City, and how to navigate Fortree City itself to find the Gym Leader. Whether you’re stuck on the route or confused by the city’s layout, this article will get you there.

Your journey to the Fortree Gym is a multi-stage process. You cannot reach Fortree City immediately after starting your adventure. There are key milestones you must complete first. The most critical one is obtaining the HM03 Surf.

Without Surf, you cannot cross the bodies of water blocking the path. Make sure you have progressed far enough in the story before attempting this trek.

Prerequisites Before You Begin

Before setting out for Fortree, ensure you have met the following requirements. Missing any of these will halt your progress.

Defeat the Mauville Gym: You must have the Dynamo Badge from Wattson in Mauville City. This allows you to use HM06 Rock Smash outside of battle, which is needed later.
Obtain HM03 Surf: After beating Wattson, head to the house next to the Mauville Pokemon Center. Mr. Briney will give you the Devon Goods. Deliver them to Captain Stern in Slateport City. After completing the subsequent Team Magma/Aqua event at the Museum, you can recieve HM03 Surf from Wally’s parents in Verdanturf Town.
Have the Go-Goggles: You need these to cross the desert on Route 111. You get them from an old man in the house on Route 111 after defeating the Mauville Gym.
A Pokemon That Knows Surf: Teach HM03 Surf to a Pokemon in your party. You will need it to travel across water.
A Pokemon That Knows Rock Smash: Teach HM06 Rock Smash to a Pokemon. This is required to clear a path on Route 115.

Starting Point: Mauville City To Route 118

With all prerequisites checked, begin your journey from Mauville City. Head south from Mauville onto Route 118. This route runs along water, but you don’t need Surf here yet.

Follow the path east, battling Trainers as you go. You will eventually reach a body of water blocking the path to Route 119. This is where you use Surf for the first time.

From Mauville, go south onto Route 118.
Follow the path east, past the grassy areas and Trainers.
When you reach the water, use Surf.
Head east across the water until you reach the other shore and the entrance to Route 119.

Navigating Route 119 And The Weather Institute

Route 119 is long, complex, and filled with strong Trainers and tall grass. Your goal is to reach the Weather Institute at the top of the route. The path is linear but involves going under bridges and through waterfalls.

Stay on the main path heading north. You will pass several Fishermen and other Trainers. Eventually, you will see a large waterfall on your right. Do not go up it yet. Continue north until you find the Weather Institute building.

Enter the Weather Institute. A significant story event with Team Magma or Team Aqua will occur here. After you defeat them and recieve the Castform Pokemon (in Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald), you can leave. Now, return to the waterfall you passed earlier.

Using Waterfall To Reach Route 120

You do not need the HM for Waterfall to ascend this specific waterfall. It is part of the story progression. Stand in front of the waterfall and press the A button. Your character will climb it.

At the top, you will find a small pond. Surf across it to the north. You will then arrive on Route 120. This scenic route features ancient ruins and many new Pokemon.

Walk east along Route 120. You will soon encounter your rival for a battle. After the battle, continue east. The path will eventually be blocked by a large fallen tree that requires Cut. However, you do not need to go that way to reach Fortree.

The Critical Turn Onto Route 121

Before reaching the cut-tree blockage on Route 120, look for a gap in the trees leading south. This is the entrance to Route 121. Take this path south.

Route 121 is straightforward. Follow it south until you reach the entrance to Lilycove City. You do not need to enter Lilycove City yet. Instead, look for the path that branches to the west, just before the city gate. This is the continuation of Route 121.

Take the western path. You will pass the Safari Zone entrance. Keep going west until you reach the water’s edge. Use Surf here to head west across the water. You will land on Route 122, but immediately use Surf again to go west onto Route 123.

Traversing Route 123 To Fortree City

Route 123 is your final route before Fortree City. It has varied terrain including grass, berry trees, and a small waterfall. Follow the path north and west.

You will come to a section where the path is blocked by a smashable rock. Use Rock Smash to clear it. Continue on the path. Soon, you will see the entrance to Fortree City nestled in the trees ahead.

Walk into the entrance, and you will finally arrive in Fortree City. The city is built entirely in the treetops, connected by wooden boardwalks and rope bridges.

Finding The Gym Inside Fortree City

Reaching Fortree City is only half the challenge. The gym itself can be tricky to locate due to the city’s vertical, maze-like design. The buildings and bridges can be confusing at first glance.

Do not go into any of the house; the gym is a distinct, larger building. Here is how to find it quickly.

Step-By-Step Path Through The City

From the city entrance, go north across the first wooden bridge.
Immediately turn east (right) and cross another bridge.
Head north again, passing between two houses.
You will see a long, straight bridge heading east. Cross it.
At the end, turn north (left). The Fortree Gym is the large building right in front of you.

The gym building has a standard Pokemon Gym symbol above its door. It is perched high in the trees, consistent with the city’s theme. If you find yourself at the Pokemon Center, you have gone too far south. The Center is on a lower level.

Preparing For Gym Leader Winona

Before you enter the gym, it is wise to prepare. Gym Leader Winona specializes in Flying-type Pokemon. Her team varies slightly between game versions.

Here is a breakdown of her likely team so you can plan your counters:

Ruby/Sapphire: Swablu (Lv. 29), Tropius (Lv. 29), Pelipper (Lv. 30), Skarmory (Lv. 31), Altaria (Lv. 33).
Emerald: Swablu (Lv. 29), Tropius (Lv. 29), Pelipper (Lv. 30), Skarmory (Lv. 31), Altaria (Lv. 33). Her levels are slightly higher in Emerald.
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire: Her team is more advanced, featuring Tropius, Skarmory, Pelipper, Talonflame, and Mega Altaria.

Recommended Pokemon Types

To counter Flying-types, you need Pokemon with Electric, Ice, or Rock-type moves. Flying-types are weak to these elements.

Electric: Manectric (from Route 118) or Electrike evolved are excellent choices. Thunderbolt or Spark are key moves.
Rock: Geodude or Graveler from earlier routes can learn Rock Throw. A Rock Tomb TM can also be very useful.
Ice: Ice Beam is a powerful TM you can get later, but Ice-type moves from Pokemon like Sealeo or Glalie are super effective against Altaria.

Make sure your team is at least at level 32-35 for the older games, and higher for the remakes. Stock up on Potions, especially ones that heal status conditions, as some Pokemon may use moves like Supersonic or Sand-Attack.

Common Problems And Solutions

Many players encounter specific issues on the way to Fortree Gym. Here are solutions to the most frequent problems.

The Path Is Blocked By Water

If you cannot cross the water on Route 118, you do not have HM03 Surf. Revisit the prerequisites section. You must complete the Slateport City Museum event and then get HM03 from Wally’s parents in Verdanturf Town. You cannot skip this step.

Cannot Find The Weather Institute

If you’re lost on Route 119, remember the institute is at the very north end. Do not take any turns westward until you see the large building. The tall grass can be disorienting, but the path is essentially one long northward trail. Using Repels can help you avoid wild Pokemon and focus on navigation.

Stuck In Fortree City

If you are in Fortree City but cannot find the gym, you are likely on the wrong level of boardwalks. The city has multiple elevated walkways. The gym is on the highest eastern platform. Go back to the city entrance and follow the step-by-step path closely, ensuring you take the first right turn after the initial bridge.

Talk to the residents; some of them give hints about the city’s layout. Also, the map on your PokeNav or menu screen can help you orient yourself.

FAQ: How To Get To The Fortree Gym

Here are answers to common questions about reaching the Fortree Gym.

What Badge Do I Need Before Fortree Gym?

You need the Dynamo Badge from the Mauville Gym. This badge allows you to use Rock Smash outside of battle, which is required to clear a rock on Route 123. You also need to have obtained the Go-Goggles and HM03 Surf.

Can I Get To Fortree City Without Surf?

No, it is impossible. You must use Surf to cross the water on Route 118 to reach Route 119, and again later to cross to Routes 122 and 123. Surf is an absolute requirement for this journey.

Where Is Fortree City Located On The Map?

Fortree City is in the central-eastern part of the Hoenn region. It is surrounded by Route 119 to the west, Route 120 to the north, and Route 121 & 123 to the south. It is east of the Weather Institute and south of the Ancient Tomb.

What Level Should My Pokemon Be For Winona?

For the original games, aim for levels 32-35. For the remakes, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, her Pokemon are stronger, so levels 38-42 are more appropriate. Always have a balanced team with Electric or Rock-type moves.

Is There A Pokemon Center In Fortree City?

Yes, there is a Pokemon Center in Fortree City. It is located on a lower level in the southwestern part of the city. You can heal your Pokemon there before challenging the gym. It’s easy to find once you’re familiar with the boardwalks.