Route 8 (Japanese: 8番道路Route 8) is a route in northeast Galar that connects Route 7 and Circhester. The northern portion of the route is also known as Steamdrift Way (Japanese: 湯けむり小路Steamy Path).
Route 8 consists of two distinctly separate sections. The first area contains ancient ruins, with ladders and stairs connecting its lower and upper sections. Among other wild Pokémon roaming around, the ruins are also home to a group of Falinks, which move between holes in the rocky walls. In the northwest, there is a Pokémon Camp.
The route's second and much shorter section is called Steamdrift Way. This snow-covered section contains a short bridge over a river and a couple patches of tall grass containing mostly Ice-type Pokémon. It is always hailing on Steamdrift Way.
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.
Route 8 appeared in the Sword & Shield arc, where Sōdo took Marvin with him to Steamdrift Way to help fix the fractured ice cane belonging to Melody's Mr. Rime, which the CirchesterGym Leader had asked Sōdo to repair. While mending the cane, Sōdo and Marvin were approached by Gordie, who wanted to battle Sōdo. Sōdo, however, suggested Marvin that he'd battle Gordie instead. Not wanting to risk bad publicity by refusing a challenge, Gordie accepted the offer and started battling Marvin. However, in the middle of the battle, Shirudomiria, who had sensed the battle while in Circhester, arrived and mistook Gordie's attacks as hostile, and used a combination attack to defeat his Stonjourner. Upon finding out the truth, Shirudomiria apologized to Gordie, who was nevertheless happy to have gotten to battle another endorsed Trainer.
While Sōdo, Shirudomiria, and Marvin were distracted, a group of Eiscue took Mr. Rime's Poké Ball and ice cane. Sōdo gave chase as Marvin took Gordie to Sōdo's tent to recover from the cold he had caught. Shirudomiria soon followed Sōdo, saying that he knew where the Eiscue were headed, as she had met her own Eiscue, Peta, there as well.
Trivia
The theme for this route, as well as Routes6, 7, and 9, is a shortened version of the theme used in the northern parts of the Wild Area.