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Listed below is a complete guide to unlocking all branching routes across the fifteen different courses in New Pokemon Snap.
This page is currently a work in progress and will be continually updated.
The Florio Nature Park (Day) course features one alternate route, which can only be unlocked when completing the following tasks.
How to Unlock the Bidoof Dam Path
The Florio Nature Park’s biggest variation comes at level 2 with the Bidoof dam. If you inspect it, you’ll cross the dam.
How to Unlock the Florio Nature Park (Night) Alternate Path
You will unlock Florio Nature Park (Night)‘s branching path when causing Pinsir to surface. Pinsir‘s reaction will cause Heracross to fall out of the tree above and both Pokemon will move on to another area.
As you near the dam wall, you’ll spot Heracross and Pinsir as they begin to tussle on the path. As a result of the fight, the NEO-ONE will go slightly off course, providing a much better camera angle to capture that perfect shot of the friendly tussle.
Swamp Route – Founja Jungle (Day) Alternate Path One
Having unlocked the Swamp route during Founja Jungle (Night), you will unlock the path automatically for the Founja Jungle (Day) course.
Behind the Waterfall Route – Founja Jungle (Day) Alternate Path Two
To access the secret path that leads behind the Waterfall in the Founja Jungle (Day) course, you will need to scare the Liepard away from the rock that it falls asleep on just before reaching the lake at the end of the course.
To scare away the Liepard, you will want to throw several Illumina Orbs in its direction, however, it’s important that you throw these Illumina Orbs and also play a Melody before it manages to sit down and fall asleep. Once successful, scan the area and look for the new optional route that will appear.
Swamp Route – Founja Jungle (Night) Alternate Path One
To unlock the alternative Swamp Path, you will need to have unlocked the Founja Jungle (Night) course and have access to the ability to use Melody and Illumina Orbs – you can find out more on how to unlock these items in our Walkthrough.
When playing through the Founja Jungle (Night) course, you’ll eventually reach a Crystabloom that’s located just before the swamp area. Using Melody and an Illumina light the Crystabloom and you’ll notice a pair of footprints are illuminated on the ground nearby. These footprints belong to Slacking and lead through some long, overgrown grass.
The Ancient Ruins Route – Founja Jungle (Day) Alternate Route Two
To unlock the secret path that leads through the Ancient Ruins, you will need to complete the following tasks in the order listed below:
- Look for the sleeping Liepard at the beginning of the course and wake it up.
Upon reaching the path that leads by the Ancient Ruins, watch as a Liepard jumps down from the branches above and knocks the NEO-ONE to the ground below. You will now have unlocked a secret route.
Behind the Waterfall Route – Founja Jungle (Night) Alternate Path Three
Unlocking the Waterfall alternate path can be a little tricky, as you’ll need to ensure that your timing is just right! To unlock the Founja Jungle (Night) alternate path you will need to keep an eye out for the Liepard that sits on top of a rock as you begin traveling towards the lake at the end of the course.
Before the Liepard sits down, you’ll want to distract it by throwing down some Fluffruit. If successful, play a Melody and watch as the Liepard leaves the area, this will in turn open up the opportunity to explore the route behind the waterfall upon scanning the area.
Research Camp – All Alternate Paths and Routes
Once you have completed the Research Camp course once, Todd will ask you to take a different path and will unlock the option to explore through Professor Mirror‘s laboratory.
Elsewhere Forest – All Alternate Paths and Routes
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How to Unlock the Private Beach Path
The Private Beach alternate path is available permanently and does not need to be unlocked in order for the path to be used.
Simply scan the area when nearing the Private Beach and you’ll unlock the ability to travel through the route.
The Private Beach alternate path is available permanently and does not need to be unlocked in order for the path to be used. Simply scan the area when nearing the Private Beach and you’ll unlock the ability to travel through the route.
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Check back soon for more information!
Lental Seafloor – All Alternate Paths and Routes
- You need to first unlock the Illumina Orbs for Maricopia to unlock this route. See How to Unlock All Illumina Orbs for detailed instruction.
- You’ll then need to raise the Lental Seafloor – Undersea course to Research Level 2.
- Then, do the course at Research Level 2. Watch the Clawitzer at the start of the course wander to a cave to the left – throw Illumina Orbs at it as it prepares to fire.
- This will power it up enough so that it destroys the rocks here – scan this to choose the alternate path.
You can also increase Undersea to Research Level 3 to automatically gain access to this path, but earning expedition points a long process. Completing the course through this path will then unlock the Lental Seafloor Illumina Spot for Maricopia.
Seafloor Alternate Path to Lugia‘s Lair
This path will take you to the Legendary Pokemon, Lugia.
- First, raise the Lental Seafloor – Undersea to Research Level 2.
- Unlock the alternate route in the Lental Seafloor – Undersea, near the beginning of the course (described above), and take that path.
- Eventually, you’ll find yourself in a deep cavern. Look around for the Lanturn here and toss an Illumina Orb at it. You’ll know you did it in time if it dives down.
- Keep an eye on the Frillish couple on the ledge. A Wailord will block your view for a few seconds, but when it passes, the Frillish will now be harassing the Lanturn from earlier. Toss an illumina orb at the Lanturn to free it.
- Grateful for the help, Lanturn will lead you to an alternate route through a dark, tight space. Unfortunately, you’ll need to do steps 2-4 each time you want to go to Lugia‘s lair.
The Lental Seafloor Illumina Spot course, unfortunately, does not feature any alternative routes.
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Fireflow Volcano – All Alternate Paths and Routes
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The alternate routes in the Shiver Snowfields are a bit tricky, as different routes must be triggered in both Shiver Snowfields (Day) and Shiver Snowfields (Night) course. You need both courses to be Research Level 2, as well.
- As soon as you start the Shiver Snowfields (Day) course, look to the left to see an Alolan Sandslash. Take a photo of it.
- Up ahead, but in the same area, keep an eye up on the ledges to he left, just beyond Beartic, to find the Sandslash again. Take another photo of it.
- This will open up a path through the snow to the right during the day, and also in the Shiver Snowfields (Night) course! This will always be available. But, there’s another alternate path, too.
- Now, head to the Shiver Snowfields (Night) level, and take the path to the right you just opened up by doing the above.
- Throw an Illumina Orb at the Crabominable as it’s powering up to punch the tree. This will knock snow onto the Abomasnow, and disturb a hiding Froslass.
- Photograph the Froslass. This will open up another branching path to the right, for both the Snowfields (Day) and (Night) Course. This branching path at (Night) leads to the area where you can find a Legendary Pokemon! Learn how to trigger Suicune to show up on its page.
Outaway Cave – All Alternate Paths and Routes
The first alternate route will be pointed out to you once you reach Research Level 2, it’s in the large, open cavern with the waterfall, and Noibat will lead you to it. Use the scanner to take it!
The second Outaway Cave alternate route requires Outaway Cave to be Research Level 3, taking the first alternate route described above, and triggering a Legendary Pokemon encounter.
- Take the alternate route to the crystal cave, where you first saw Mawile.
- Once through the tunnel, look straight down as you enter the area with crystals – there are two Carbink and a Mawile below.
- Hit those three Pokemon with Illumina orbs, and Diancie will enter from the right.
- Throw Illumina Orbs at the Diancie so it creates a diamond.
- Doing the above method causes the angry Mawile up ahead to trust you, allowing you to take the route beyond it. You just need to scan that area! This is the only way you’ll be able to photograph Jolteon.
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The Remembrance Illumina Spot course, unfortunately, does not feature any alternative routes.