Wondering how to get into the Fortree Gym? You’re not alone. The Hoenn region is buzzing with life Wingull are swooping over glittering waters, Swablu are drifting lazily through the clouds, and somewhere in the treetop village of Fortree City, a Flying-type master is waiting to test your skills.

You’ve battled across routes, navigated tall grass taller than your trainer sprite, survived the unpredictable weather on Route 119, and now you’re finally here. The Fortree Gym is in sight. You stroll up, confident and ready for the fight, only to hit an invisible wall.

You press forward. Nothing.

You step left, right, and even do that awkward trainer sidestep dance. Still nothing.

Congratulations! you’ve stumbled into one of Pokémon Emerald’s most charming roadblocks: the hidden Kecleon encounter that makes players wonder, “How do I actually get in here?”

Today, we will cover exactly how to get into the Fortree Gym, from the moment you step into the city to the second you’re face-to-face with Winona. Whether you’re a first-time Emerald player or someone replaying it for the nostalgia, this guide will ensure you’re ready.

Contents

1 How to Get Into the Fortree Gym – The First Step in Your Journey

How to Get Into the Fortree Gym – The First Step in Your Journey

If you’re reading this, you’ve likely just arrived in Fortree City or wondered why the game won’t let you walk inside the gym.

Here’s the short answer:

An invisible Pokémon (Kecleon) is blocking your path, and the game won’t let you see or interact with it until you’ve acquired a special tool the Devon Scope.

The Devon Scope isn’t just handed to you; you’ll need to follow a specific sequence of events to get it. This means your first step toward learning to enter the Fortree Gym is temporarily leaving the city.

Reaching Fortree City – A Scenic Trek Through Hoenn

Getting to Fortree City is a mini-adventure if you’re not already here.

Most players reach Fortree from Mauville City by heading east to Route 118, crossing the water with Surf, and continuing north. Along the way, you’ll:

Battle a handful of Fishermen and Bird Keepers.
Encounter Steven Stone for the first time in this part of the storyline (don’t worry we’ll meet him again soon).
Navigate Route 119, a long stretch of grassland and bridges.

A key stop: the Weather Institute.

You’ll have to clear it of Team Aqua or Team Magma grunts before proceeding. Your reward? A Castform not mandatory, but a neat addition to your Pokédex.

From there, just a few more battles before you cross into Fortree City a charming treetop village connected by wooden bridges, with houses perched above the forest floor.

The Infamous “Invisible” Roadblock in Front of the Gym

This is where the mystery begins. The Fortree Gym is visible, and the door is right there, but the game physically stops your trainer from moving forward. There is no dialogue, no NPC hint, just a silent “Nope.”

What’s blocking you?

A Kecleon a chameleon Pokémon whose Color Change ability perfectly blends into the background. It’s been standing there all along, invisible to your eyes.

This little obstacle is Emerald’s way of nudging you into an important side event before you can proceed.

The Steven Stone Encounter – Your Key to Entry

To progress, leave Fortree City from the eastern exit onto Route 120. Follow the winding grassy path and you’ll spot Steven Stone the stylish, calm, steel-type champion in disguise standing in front of yet another “invisible” block in the road.

Steven will explain the situation and give you the Devon Scope, a special device that reveals hidden Pokémon.

When he demonstrates it, the Kecleon blocking the path will appear. You can:

Battle it
Catch it
Run away

Either way, the road will open, and now you have the means to clear the one in front of the Fortree Gym.

Using the Devon Scope to Reveal Kecleon

Now that you have the Devon Scope, head back to Fortree City. Stand in front of the gym entrance and interact with the invisible obstacle.

The Devon Scope will activate, revealing Kecleon’s green, zigzag-striped glory. You’ll get the option to battle. This is your choice:

Catch – Adds a unique Normal-type Pokémon to your team.
Defeat – Clears the path while giving your team XP.
Flee – Quick and easy if you’re rushing to challenge Winona.

Once the encounter ends, the gym entrance is officially open. And that’s the answer to how to get into the Fortree Gym but the adventure doesn’t end there.

Inside the Fortree Gym – Puzzle and Layout Guide

The Fortree Gym’s theme revolves around wooden sliding doors that act like rotating gates. You aim to rotate them in the right direction to create a clear path forward.

Tips for Navigating the Puzzle:

Always rotate a door toward your intended direction if you rotate it incorrectly, you might block yourself.
Expect to battle a few Gym Trainers mostly Flying-types like Tropius, Swablu, and Doduo.
Pay attention to the door orientation before you leave a section it’s easy to lock yourself out accidentally.

The design is simple in the early rooms, but complex as you approach Winona’s arena.

Preparing to Face Winona – The Flying-Type Specialist

Winona isn’t just here to look graceful in her winged headpiece she’s a skilled trainer with a balanced Flying-type team. In Pokémon Emerald, her lineup is:

Swellow – Lv. 31 (Quick Attack, Aerial Ace)
Pelipper – Lv. 30 (Protect, Supersonic)
Skarmory – Lv. 32 (Steel Wing, Aerial Ace)
Altaria – Lv. 33 (Dragon Dance, Earthquake, Aerial Ace)

Why she’s tricky:

Swellow is fast and can outspeed unprepared teams.
Pelipper’s Protect Waste frustrates offensive players.
Skarmory’s Steel typing resists many common attacks.
Altaria can sweep your team after a few Dragon Dances.

Recommended Counter Pokémon:

Electric-types (Manectric, Magneton) for Pelipper and Skarmory.
Rock-types (Graveler, Golem) to resist Flying moves.
Ice-type moves (from Glalie or TM) to counter Altaria.

Battle Strategies for Beginners and Veterans

Beginners:

Use status moves like Thunder Wave to slow down fast threats.
Bring healing items to counter chip damage from Aerial Ace.
Switch strategically to avoid super-effective hits.

Veterans:

Predict Protect from Pelipper to time high-damage moves.
Take out Altaria before it stacks Dragon Dance boosts.
Use STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves to hit hard and fast.

Soft Promotion Tip: An official Pokémon Emerald strategy guide or online Pokédex can help you fine-tune movesets for gym battles.

Victory Rewards – What Happens After Beating Winona

Defeating Winona earns you:

The Feather Badge lets you use Fly outside of battle.
TM40 (Aerial Ace) A Flying-type move that never misses.

With Fly unlocked, you can revisit previous cities quickly, making it easier to train, shop, or hunt for specific Pokémon.

FAQs – How to Get Into the Fortree Gym

1. How do I get the Devon Scope in Pokémon Emerald?

Meet Steven Stone on Route 120, where he’ll give you the Devon Scope after revealing a hidden Kecleon.

2. Can you skip the Fortree Gym in Pokémon Emerald?

No, it’s part of the required story progression to move further into the game.

3. What level should my Pokémon be before battling Winona?

Levels 32–34 are recommended for a balanced, safe battle.

4. Which Pokémon are best for defeating Winona?

Electric-types like Manectric for Pelipper, Rock-types like Graveler for Skarmory, and Ice-type moves for Altaria.

5. What happens if I don’t catch the Kecleon?

The path still clears whether you catch, defeat, or flee from it seeing is purely optional.

Expert Thoughts:

Learning how to get into the Fortree Gym is one of those small but unforgettable moments in Pokémon Emerald a blend of mystery, clever game design, and the joy of overcoming a roadblock. With your Devon Scope in hand and your team prepared, Winona doesn’t stand a chance.