How to Get Waterfall in Pokémon X and Y: 4 Steps

Note: This guide is based on verified Pokémon X and Y gameplay information and rewritten as original, web-ready content for publication.

In Pokémon X and Y, few HMs feel as satisfying as Waterfall. Surf lets you glide across the water like a vacationing champion, but Waterfall says, “Yes, I would like to climb that giant wall of rushing water with a Pokémon, because physics politely stepped aside for me.” If you are trying to finish your Kalos adventure, explore hidden areas, collect useful TMs, or simply stop staring helplessly at waterfalls like they are decorative wallpaper, you will need HM05 Waterfall.

The good news? Getting Waterfall in Pokémon X and Y is not complicated once you know where to go. The slightly trickier news? You receive the HM before you can actually use it outside battle. That small detail has confused plenty of players, especially those who immediately teach Waterfall to a Pokémon, run to the nearest waterfall, press A, and wonder why Kalos is suddenly enforcing rules.

This guide explains exactly how to get Waterfall in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y in four simple steps, where the HM is located, what badge is required, which Pokémon can use it well, and what you can do with it once it is active. Let’s make those waterfalls less mysterious and more climbable.

What Is Waterfall in Pokémon X and Y?

Waterfall is HM05 in Pokémon X and Y. As an HM, it serves two purposes: it works as a battle move and as a field move. In battle, Waterfall is a physical Water-type attack with solid reliability. It has 80 base power, 100% accuracy, 15 PP, and a chance to make the target flinch if your Pokémon moves first. That makes it especially useful for physical Water-type Pokémon that prefer direct attacks over special moves like Surf or Scald.

Outside battle, Waterfall allows your Pokémon to climb and descend waterfalls in the Kalos region. This opens up optional areas, hidden items, powerful TMs, and extra exploration routes. It is not just a “story progress” tool; it is also a treasure-hunting key. Kalos loves tucking rewards behind obstacles, and Waterfall is one of the last tools you need to clean up the map like a very stylish completionist.

How to Get Waterfall in Pokémon X and Y: 4 Steps

Step 1: Progress Through the Main Story Until You Reach Route 19

To get Waterfall in Pokémon X and Y, you must first reach Route 19, also known as Grande Vallée Way. This route appears late in the game, after the major Team Flare storyline has been resolved and you are heading toward Snowbelle City, home of the eighth Gym.

Route 19 connects Couriway Town to Snowbelle City. By the time you arrive here, your team should be fairly strong, your bag should contain more healing items than you admit to buying, and your rivals will still somehow believe this is the perfect time for dramatic friendship battles. They are not wrong. They are just inconvenient.

Before entering Route 19, it helps to make sure your team is healed. You will face multiple rival battles before receiving HM05 Waterfall, so walking onto the bridge with a tired team is not ideal. Stock up on Hyper Potions, Full Heals, and Revives if needed. You do not need a specific Pokémon to obtain the HM, but you will eventually need a Pokémon that can learn Waterfall if you want to use it in the field.

Step 2: Cross Route 19 and Reach the Bridge

Route 19 is not just a straight hallway with grass sprinkled around for decoration. It includes swampy areas, trainers, bridges, and paths that can feel slightly maze-like the first time through. Your main goal is to continue south and east through the route until you reach the large bridge near the southern part of the area.

As you move through Route 19, you may encounter Pokémon Rangers and other trainers. If you like exploring, you can wander into the swampy sections and pick up items, but if your only mission is getting Waterfall, keep pushing toward the bridge. Once you arrive, the game triggers a sequence involving your friends: Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor.

This is the moment when Pokémon X and Y turns a peaceful walk into a mini rival gauntlet. Apparently, the Kalos friendship language is “battle me immediately.”

Step 3: Defeat Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor

To receive Waterfall, you must defeat your friends on Route 19. The battles happen as part of the story sequence on the bridge. You will face Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor, and after you win, Shauna gives you HM05 Waterfall as a gift from the group.

These battles are not usually the hardest fights in the game, but they can catch you off guard if your team is weak, under-leveled, or poorly matched. Expect your rivals to use teams that reflect their personalities and previous encounters. Tierno tends to favor dance-themed Pokémon, Trevor has a research-minded team, and Shauna’s team varies depending on choices made earlier in the story.

The safest approach is to bring a balanced party with strong coverage moves. Electric-, Grass-, Fire-, Flying-, and Dark-type attacks can all be useful depending on what you face. If you have been relying on one overpowered starter to carry the whole team while everyone else claps from the sidelines, this is a good time to spread experience around.

Once you defeat the rival sequence, Shauna rewards you with HM05 Waterfall. Congratulations: you now own one of the most important late-game HMs in Kalos. Your backpack is officially more powerful than it was five minutes ago.

Step 4: Beat Wulfric in Snowbelle City to Use Waterfall Outside Battle

Here is the part many players miss: receiving Waterfall does not automatically mean you can use it outside battle. In Pokémon X and Y, you need the Iceberg Badge from Wulfric, the Snowbelle City Gym Leader, before Waterfall can be used as a field move.

After Route 19, continue into Snowbelle City. The Gym Leader, Wulfric, specializes in Ice-type Pokémon. His Gym includes a rotating floor puzzle, because apparently walking directly to the Gym Leader would be too merciful. Once you solve the puzzle and defeat Wulfric, he awards you the Iceberg Badge and TM13 Ice Beam.

The Iceberg Badge does two important things. First, it allows all Pokémon to obey you, including high-level traded Pokémon. Second, it lets you use Waterfall outside of battle. After earning the badge, teach Waterfall to a compatible Pokémon, approach a waterfall from the water, press A, and your Pokémon can carry you up or down it.

Quick Summary: Where Is Waterfall in Pokémon X and Y?

You get HM05 Waterfall on Route 19 from Shauna after defeating Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor on the bridge. However, you cannot use Waterfall outside battle until you defeat Wulfric in Snowbelle City and earn the Iceberg Badge.

Best Pokémon to Teach Waterfall in Pokémon X and Y

Because Waterfall is a physical Water-type move, it works best on Pokémon with a strong Attack stat. You can teach it to many Water-type Pokémon, but not every swimmer is equally talented at smashing into opponents like a high-speed wave with opinions.

Good Waterfall Users

Gyarados is one of the best choices. It has a high Attack stat, gets Same Type Attack Bonus from Waterfall, and can use the flinch chance well if it outspeeds the opponent after boosts. If you have a Gyarados on your team, Waterfall is practically begging to be used.

Azumarill can also make good use of Waterfall, especially if it has Huge Power. With Huge Power doubling its Attack stat, Azumarill turns Waterfall from “solid move” into “please apologize to the opposing Pokémon.”

Lapras can learn Waterfall, though it often prefers special Water-type moves depending on how you train it. Still, Lapras is a reliable HM user and can help with both Surf and Waterfall, making it a practical travel companion.

Blastoise is another dependable option. While Blastoise is often built around special attacks, Waterfall still gives it useful physical coverage and field utility. If you chose Squirtle from Professor Sycamore, this can be a convenient pick.

Should You Teach Waterfall to Your Main Battler?

Unlike some HMs that feel like a tax on your moveset, Waterfall is genuinely useful. It is not a weak field move you teach with a sigh and immediately regret. For physical Water-types, it can remain useful through the endgame and even beyond. If your Pokémon has strong Attack and benefits from Water-type coverage, Waterfall is a smart choice.

That said, if your main Water-type is built for special attacks, you may prefer Surf or Scald for battling. In that case, teach Waterfall to a secondary team member or HM helper. The best setup depends on whether you care more about battle performance, exploration convenience, or keeping your movesets neat and competitive.

Where Can You Use Waterfall in Pokémon X and Y?

After you obtain the Iceberg Badge, Waterfall opens up several optional areas across Kalos. These locations are worth revisiting because they often hide valuable TMs, plates, stones, or other rewards.

Couriway Town

Couriway Town has a waterfall that becomes accessible once you can use Waterfall in the field. Climbing it lets you reach TM80 Rock Slide, a very useful Rock-type move. Rock Slide is popular because it has decent power, hits both opponents in Double Battles, and can cause flinching. If your team needs coverage against Flying-, Fire-, Bug-, or Ice-type Pokémon, this is a great pickup.

Frost Cavern Area

The area outside Frost Cavern includes a waterfall that leads to TM71 Stone Edge. Stone Edge is powerful, dramatic, and slightly stressful because of its accuracy. It is the kind of move that either wins the fight or makes you stare silently at your 3DS screen. Still, it is excellent coverage for many physical attackers.

Route 15 and Route 16

Routes 15 and 16 include waterfall-accessible spots with useful hidden rewards. These routes are especially worth revisiting if you enjoy item collecting or want to prepare for postgame battles. Kalos rewards players who return to earlier areas with new HMs, so do not assume you are finished with a route just because you passed through once.

Route 22

Route 22 becomes more interesting once Waterfall is available. You can access additional items, including valuable TMs and plates. This is one of the better late-game revisit routes because it contains rewards that can strengthen your team before the Pokémon League.

Victory Road

Waterfall is also useful in and around Victory Road. While not every waterfall path is mandatory, having the move gives you access to more areas and items. Before challenging the Elite Four, it is worth exploring thoroughly. After all, nothing says “future Champion” like delaying the Pokémon League because you saw a suspicious cliff of water and had to investigate.

Common Mistakes Players Make When Getting Waterfall

Thinking Waterfall Is in Snowbelle City

Because Waterfall becomes usable after the Snowbelle Gym, some players assume the HM itself is found in Snowbelle City. It is not. You receive HM05 Waterfall on Route 19 from Shauna after the rival battles. Snowbelle City only provides the badge needed to use it outside battle.

Trying to Use Waterfall Before Earning the Iceberg Badge

This is the most common confusion. You can teach Waterfall before beating Wulfric, and you can use it in battle right away. But you cannot climb waterfalls in the overworld until you earn the Iceberg Badge. If the game will not let you use Waterfall outside battle, check your badges first.

Forgetting to Bring a Pokémon That Can Learn Waterfall

Owning the HM is not enough. You need a compatible Pokémon in your party that knows Waterfall. If you approach a waterfall and nothing happens, open your party, check your moves, and make sure the right Pokémon actually learned it. Kalos cannot read your intentions. It needs a Pokémon with the move.

Teaching Waterfall Without Thinking About Movesets

Waterfall is useful, but move slots matter. Before teaching it, check whether the Pokémon benefits from physical Water-type attacks. A physical attacker like Gyarados loves Waterfall. A special attacker may prefer Surf. You can still use Waterfall for exploration, but planning ahead keeps your team stronger.

Tips Before You Head to Snowbelle Gym

Wulfric uses Ice-type Pokémon, so prepare with Fire-, Fighting-, Rock-, and Steel-type moves. Be careful if you rely on Dragon-, Flying-, Grass-, or Ground-type Pokémon, because Ice attacks can hit them hard. A strong Fire-type move can make the Gym much easier, but do not get too comfortable; Ice teams can still surprise you with coverage.

Bring healing items and make sure your team is not badly under-leveled. The Snowbelle Gym puzzle can also take a little time to solve, so it is better to enter ready than to run back and forth. Once you defeat Wulfric, the world opens up again. Waterfall becomes usable, and you can start revisiting earlier areas for late-game rewards.

Why Waterfall Matters for Exploration

Waterfall is one of the final exploration upgrades in Pokémon X and Y. By the time you receive it, you have already traveled across much of Kalos. That timing is intentional. The game uses Waterfall to encourage backtracking with purpose. Earlier waterfalls that seemed like scenery now become invitations.

This design gives Kalos a layered feeling. You may pass through Couriway Town, Frost Cavern, Route 15, or Route 22 long before you can fully explore them. Later, once Waterfall is available, those familiar places suddenly contain new routes and prizes. It is a neat little reward for players who remember suspicious spots and return with the right tools.

For completionists, Waterfall is essential. It helps you collect TMs, items, and hidden treasures that can improve your team. For casual players, it is still worth using because some of the rewards are genuinely helpful before the Pokémon League. Even if you are not trying to collect everything, Waterfall can give you stronger move options and a better-prepared team.

Extra Experience: What Getting Waterfall Feels Like in Pokémon X and Y

Getting Waterfall in Pokémon X and Y feels like one of those late-game moments where the adventure quietly changes gears. Up to this point, Kalos has already thrown plenty at you: stylish cities, roller-skating paths, mysterious caves, Team Flare drama, Mega Evolution, and enough rival conversations to fill a scrapbook. Then Route 19 arrives, and the game says, “Before you go become a legend, how about one more emotional friend battle?”

The Route 19 sequence works because it feels like a checkpoint. Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor are not just random obstacles standing between you and Snowbelle City. They represent the journey you have been sharing since the beginning. By battling them before receiving Waterfall, the game gives HM05 a little more meaning than a simple item pickup. It is not lying on the ground in a suspicious Poké Ball. It is handed to you after a set of battles that remind you how far your group has come.

From a player’s perspective, this is also where Waterfall becomes a symbol of late-game freedom. You have probably seen waterfalls earlier and made a mental note to come back. Maybe you saw one in Couriway Town and thought, “That definitely leads somewhere.” Maybe you forgot completely until the HM appeared in your bag. Either way, once you beat Wulfric and activate Waterfall in the field, Kalos suddenly feels more open.

One of the most satisfying experiences is revisiting older locations with Waterfall and discovering that the game did not place those waterfalls there just for scenery. Climbing up to find TM80 Rock Slide in Couriway Town feels rewarding because it connects curiosity with payoff. The same goes for tracking down Stone Edge near Frost Cavern or exploring extra areas around Route 22. These rewards are not always required, but they make you feel like a sharper trainer.

Waterfall also has a practical advantage that some HMs lack: it is good in battle. Many older Pokémon fans remember HMs as moves you had to carry rather than moves you wanted. Cut, for example, rarely inspires poetry. Waterfall is different. If you teach it to a strong physical Water-type, it can stay on your team without feeling like dead weight. Gyarados with Waterfall is not a compromise; it is a statement. A wet, intimidating, 21-foot statement.

For players preparing for the Pokémon League, Waterfall can be part of a strong final team setup. It gives Water-types reliable physical damage, helps with coverage, and still keeps exploration available. That balance makes it one of the least annoying HMs to use. You are not just dragging around an HM helper for one obstacle; you are using a move that can actually win battles.

The only frustrating part is the timing. Receiving Waterfall before being allowed to use it outside battle can feel like being handed car keys before getting permission to leave the driveway. Still, once you understand that the Iceberg Badge is required, the process makes sense. Route 19 gives you the tool. Snowbelle Gym gives you the license. After that, every waterfall in Kalos should be treated as a personal invitation.

If you are playing Pokémon X and Y for the first time, do not rush past this part of the game. After getting Waterfall and beating Wulfric, take a little tour through previous routes. Revisit Couriway Town, Frost Cavern, Route 15, Route 16, Route 22, and Victory Road. You will find items that make your team better and areas that make the world feel more complete. The main story may point you toward the Pokémon League, but Waterfall quietly whispers, “Adventure first, paperwork later.”

Final Thoughts

To get Waterfall in Pokémon X and Y, travel to Route 19, defeat Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor on the bridge, and receive HM05 Waterfall from Shauna. Then head to Snowbelle City, defeat Wulfric, and earn the Iceberg Badge so you can use Waterfall outside battle. Once active, Waterfall lets you climb waterfalls across Kalos and reach valuable rewards like Rock Slide, Stone Edge, hidden items, and optional exploration areas.

Waterfall is one of the best HMs in the game because it is both useful and enjoyable. It helps you explore, strengthens physical Water-type Pokémon, and gives late-game Kalos a fresh sense of discovery. In short: if a waterfall looks suspicious, it probably is. Climb it.