Route 18 HGSS · Kanto Route
Route 18 connects Fuchsia City to the bottom of Cycling Road (Route 17) in southern Kanto. The Fuchsia side is a short strip with a secluded patch of tall grass, while the western half beyond the gate is part of Cycling Road and needs a Bicycle. The wild Pokémon are mostly Grimer, Muk and Fearow.
- Region
- Kanto
- Wild Pokémon
- 9
- Items
- 0
- Trainers
- 3
Connects to: Route 17 · Fuchsia City
Wild Pokémon
| Pokémon | Type | Lv. | Morning | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Grimer | Poison | 26–28 | 50% | 50% | 80% |
 Fearow | Normal | 27–29 | 40% | 40% | – |
 Muk | Poison | 29–30 | 5% | 5% | 15% |
 Slugma | Fire | 27 | 5% | 5% | 5% |
Plusle 20%, Lv. 26–27 
Minun 20%, Lv. 28Play the Hoenn Sound radio channel (after the National Pokédex): replaces four 10% grass slots.
Shinx 40%, Lv. 26–28Play the Sinnoh Sound radio channel (after the National Pokédex): replaces four 10% grass slots.| Pokémon | Type | Lv. | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
 Hoothoot | Normal | 26–27 | 50% |
 SpinarakHG | BugPoison | 26–27 | 30% |
 Wurmple | Bug | 26–27 | 20% |
 LedybaSS | Bug | 26–27 | 30% |
| Pokémon | Type | Lv. | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoothoot | Normal | 29–30 | 65% |
| Wurmple | Bug | 29–30 | 20% |
 Tangela | Grass | 29–30 | 15% |
Use Headbutt on a tree (taught by the tutor in Ilex Forest). Which trees are “common”, “rare” or empty depends on the last digit of your Trainer ID.
Chances are the game’s encounter slots: grass and caves 20/20/10/10/10/10/5/5/4/4/1/1, with every slot changing by time of day (morning 4:00–9:59, day 10:00–19:59, night 20:00–3:59); surfing 60/30/5/4/1; all three rods 40/30/15/10/5; Rock Smash 80/20; Headbutt 50/15/15/10/5/5. HG and SS mark Pokémon found in only one version. Where to find every Pokémon.
Trainers
| Trainer | Pokémon | Prize |
|---|---|---|
 Bird KeeperBob |  Noctowl 48 | ₽1,536 |
| Bird KeeperBoris |  Doduo 39Doduo 37 Dodrio 41 | ₽1,312 |
 BikerCharles |  Koffing 41 Charmeleon 41 Weezing 42 | ₽672 |
Prize money is four times the level of the trainer’s last Pokémon times the trainer class’s rate (doubled in double battles). Trainers who give you their Pokégear number call when they want a rematch, with stronger teams as you progress.
Items
No items to pick up here.
Tips
- You need a Bicycle to pass the gate onto the Cycling Road side of the route.
- Biker Charles waits on the Cycling Road side with Koffing Lv41, Charmeleon Lv41 and Weezing Lv42.
- Grimer is the most common encounter, rising to 80% at night, and Muk also shows up more after dark.
- Slugma appears at a 5% rate any time of day.
- Fearow only appears in the morning and during the day.
Walkthrough: Part 19: Cycling Road, Fuchsia City and Janine
FAQ
Do you need a bike for Route 18 in HeartGold and SoulSilver?
Yes for the western part, which is the end of Cycling Road; the short grassy section next to Fuchsia City can be walked.
Where can you catch Slugma in Kanto in HGSS?
Route 18’s grass has Slugma at a 5% rate in the morning, day and night.
Where do you catch Muk in HeartGold and SoulSilver?
Route 18, where Muk appears at 5% by day and 15% at night.
What Pokémon can you catch in Route 18 in HeartGold and SoulSilver?
9 species: Grimer, Fearow, Muk, Slugma, Hoothoot, Spinarak, Wurmple, Ledyba, Tangela.
Sources & picture credits
Guide text is original retrogameindex writing, checked against Bulbapedia and the game data. Wild Pokémon and encounter chances, items, trainers, rematch teams, gifts and shops come from the pret/pokeheartgold decompilation, and the Pokémon sprites and dungeon entrance pictures are drawn from the game’s own graphics in it. The position maps are the Gold/Silver wiki’s Pokégear map renders. Location pictures and trainer sprites © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK, archived from the Pokémon Wiki on Fandom (listed on the image gallery).