The Twilight Trails Choose Your Path Timed Research edition is scheduled to start on Wednesday, September 23, at 10:00 a.m. local time. It will continue until Monday, September 28, at 8:00 p.m. local time. If you love branching Timed Research in Pokémon GO, get ready for an exciting upcoming experience!
Whether you are a hardcore battler, a dedicated collector, or an avid walker who loves hatching eggs and discovering new routes, this event lets you tailor the gameplay to match your personal playstyle. Let’s dive into all the details you need to know to prepare for the event, when it takes place, and how your choice will shape your week.
SEE: The Complete List of September 2026 Pokémon GO Events
What is Twilight Trails Choose Your Path?
Pokémon GO is a massive game with many different playstyles. Some players live for the GO Battle League and taking down Team GO Rocket, others want to catch every single spawn in sight, and many simply love exploring the physical world around them.
The Choose Your Path Timed Research format is designed precisely to celebrate these different styles. Instead of forcing every player down a linear, identical questline, these special non-event week initiatives allow you to pick a specific track that dictates your overall focus. You will have the choice to select one of three unique paths: Explore, Catch, or Battle!
Because this is a Timed Research event, you must complete all associated tasks and claim your rewards before the timer runs out on Monday, September 28, at 8:00 p.m. local time, or they will disappear permanently.
Breaking Down the Twilight Trails Choose Your Path Timed Research
When the event begins, you’ll be prompted to lock in your preferred style of play. Your selection will directly shape the Timed Research tasks you receive, as well as the bonuses you benefit from throughout the week. Let’s take a look at what each path generally entails:
The Explore Path: Perfect for Trainers who love exploring. If you enjoy tracking routes, walking long distances, hatching eggs, and spinning PokéStops in your neighborhood or local parks, this path will reward your footwork.
The Catch Path: Ideal for active collectors and shiny hunters. If your favorite part of Pokémon GO is tapping every wild spawn, landing excellent throws, and filling out your Pokédex, this path will center heavily around catching milestones.
The Battle Path: Built for battlers. If you spend your time testing team compositions, taking down Team GO Rocket Grunts and Leaders, or grinding out GO Battle League matches, this path will challenge your combat prowess.
Varied Twilight Trails Choose Your Path Timed Research Opportunities
You may have different research opportunities than other Trainers. Don’t be surprised if your friend playing right next to you has slightly different task steps or encounter rewards. It’s all part of the dynamic testing for the Twilight Trails season!
Playing Safely and Staying Connected
As always, the Pokémon GO team reminds all Trainers to keep safety in mind while out exploring.
Be aware of your surroundings: Always watch where you’re walking, stay out of restricted or private property, and respect local traffic laws.
Follow local health authorities: Keep up to date with any local health or safety guidelines applicable to your area.
Final Thoughts
The Twilight Trails Choose Your Path event is a fantastic way to break up the routine of non-event weeks by letting you play on your own terms. Whether you lean into the Explore, Catch, or Battle path, you’ll have from September 23 to September 28 to make the most of it.
