Turnback Cave

Turnback Cave 戻りの洞窟
Returning Cave
"Wild Missingno. appeared!"
Turnback Cave Giratina Pt.png
Map description: {{{mapdesc}}}
Location: Sendoff SpringDPPtBDSP
Spring PathLA
Region: Sinnoh
Generations: IV, VIII
Sinnoh Turnback Cave Map.png
Location of Turnback Cave in Sinnoh.
Pokémon world locations

Turnback Cave (Japanese: りの洞窟 Returning Cave) is a cave which is home to the Legendary Pokémon Giratina. In Sinnoh, it is located at the north-central region of Sendoff Spring, which itself may be accessed through the Spring Path. The cave can only be entered after entering the Hall of Fame. In Hisui, it is located in the center of a tall mountain crater in the Spring Path, which lies at the northwestern corner of the Cobalt Coastlands. Due to the slope of the crater, Turnback Cave is primarily accessible via Ride Pokémon.

Escape Ropes and Dig cannot be used to leave Turnback Cave.

Geography

Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl

Rooms and pillars

 
A pillar

Turnback Cave is a maze-like cave filled with dense fog. The cave has a fixed starting point—the entrance room—and a fixed terminal room—Giratina's room. The rooms between those points are random every time the player goes through a door, and the room generated will be in one of two types of layouts: a room with a single pillar in the center, or a room with an odd pattern of rocks that may obstruct other entrances. The type of room expected to generate will persist even after loading a save.

To reach Giratina's room, the player must find three pillar rooms; the room immediately after the third pillar room found is guaranteed to be Giratina's room. If the player passes through a total of 30 rooms before arriving at Giratina's room, the next door that is entered will return the player to the entrance room, where another attempt can be made. If a saved game is loaded in an intermediate room, the door the player originally entered by will not be remembered, meaning no door will lead to the entrance unless 30 rooms have already been entered. Exiting a room through the door from which it was entered returns the player to the entrance room, with the exception of the third pillar room or the door from the entrance room leading to Sendoff Spring.

In the entrance room, the inscription on the wall on the central pedestal reads:

...Past three pillars...to the sleeping... ...before 30 is surpassed...

The inscription at the base of the pillars in the pillar rooms between the entrance room and Giratina's room feature two numbers. The first denotes which pillar room the player is in, while the second denotes how many total rooms the player has traversed (including the current room) since leaving the entrance room.

Giratina's Room

Giratina's room has four entrances like other rooms in the cave, and from each a set of stairs descends to a central pedestal upon which Giratina will stand (or an item if Giratina has already been caught). In Pokémon Platinum, Giratina will only be present if the player did not catch it in the Distortion World. If Giratina has been caught, there will be a portal to the Distortion World where the player can obtain the Griseous Orb. If Giratina is not present, there will be an item, which reappears upon each subsequent visit to the room. Exiting any one of the doors from this room will return the player back to the entrance room.

In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl, there is an inscription on the wall on the central pedestal that reads:

This is... That where life sparkles... That where life has faded... A place where two worlds overlap...

Legends: Arceus

 
Turnback Cave in Legends: Arceus

Turnback Cave is a small yet spacious rounded cavern that is empty, with stone pillars lining the wall. Giratina will appear in the cave after accepting Request 91: "On The Trail of Giratina" from Professor Laventon.

Items

Item Location Games
  Reaper Cloth Giratina's room, if the player reached it by passing through only 3 rooms and Giratina is not present (reappears each time)  D  P  Pt  BD  SP 
  Rare Bone Giratina's room, if the player reached it by passing through 4-15 rooms and Giratina is not present (reappears each time)  D  P  Pt  BD  SP 
  Stardust Giratina's room, if the player reached it by passing through 16-30 rooms and Giratina is not present (reappears each time)  D  P  Pt  BD  SP 
  Griseous Core Rewarded for catching Giratina to complete Request 91  LA 

Pokémon

Generation IV

Before encountering a pillar

Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate
     
  Golbat
D P Pt
  Cave
45-46 30%
  Golbat
D P Pt
  Cave
17-18 25%
  Gastly
D P Pt
  Cave
15, 17 30%
  Gastly
D P Pt
  Cave
16 10% 10% 0%
  Haunter
D P Pt
  Cave
44-46 30%
  Duskull
D P Pt
  Cave
18 5%
  Dusclops
D P Pt
  Cave
16 0% 0% 10%
  Chingling
D P Pt
  Cave
16, 18 10%
  Bronzor
D P Pt
  Cave
44 5%
  Bronzor
D P Pt
  Cave
15 20%
  Bronzong
D P Pt
  Cave
45-46 35%
Special Pokémon
  Lunatone
D P Pt
  Dual-slot
Sapphire
44, 46 8%
  Lunatone
D P Pt
  Dual-slot
Sapphire
18 8%
  Solrock
D P Pt
  Dual-slot
Ruby
44, 46 8%
  Solrock
D P Pt
  Dual-slot
Ruby
18 8%
  Dusclops
D P Pt
  Dual-slot
FRLGE
18 4%
  Dusclops
D P Pt
  Poké Radar
18 1%
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.


Between first and second pillars

Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate
     
  Golbat
D P Pt
  Cave
55-56 30%
  Golbat
D P Pt
  Cave
25, 27 25%
  Haunter
D P Pt
  Cave
54-56 30%
  Haunter
D P Pt
  Cave
25, 27 30%
  Haunter
D P Pt
  Cave
26 10% 10% 0%
  Chimecho
D P Pt
  Cave
28 1%
  Duskull
D P Pt
  Cave
28 4%
  Dusclops
D P Pt
  Cave
26 0% 0% 10%
  Dusclops
D P Pt
  Cave
28 1%
  Chingling
D P Pt
  Cave
26, 28 9%
  Bronzor
D P Pt
  Cave
54 5%
  Bronzor
D P Pt
  Cave
25 20%
  Bronzong
D P Pt
  Cave
55-56 35%
Special Pokémon
  Lunatone
D P Pt
  Dual-slot
Sapphire
54, 56 8%
  Lunatone
D P Pt
  Dual-slot
Sapphire
28 8%
  Solrock
D P Pt
  Dual-slot
Ruby
54, 56 8%
  Solrock
D P Pt
  Dual-slot
Ruby
28 8%
  Dusclops
D P Pt
  Dual-slot
FRLGE
28 4%
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.


Between second and third pillars

Only five of the six possible rooms have wild encounters; the second of the possible rooms between these pillars never has wild encounters.

Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate
     
  Golbat
D P Pt
  Cave
65-66 30%
  Golbat
D P Pt
  Cave
37-38 25%
  Haunter
D P Pt
  Cave
64-66 30%
  Haunter
D P Pt
  Cave
35, 37 30%
  Haunter
D P Pt
  Cave
36 10% 10% 0%
  Dusclops
D P Pt
  Cave
36 0% 0% 10%
  Dusclops
D P Pt
  Cave
38 5%
  Chimecho
D P Pt
  Cave
36, 38 10%
  Bronzor
D P Pt
  Cave
64 5%
  Bronzong
D P Pt
  Cave
65-66 35%
  Bronzong
D P Pt
  Cave
35 20%
Special Pokémon
  Lunatone
D P Pt
  Dual-slot
Sapphire
64, 66 8%
  Lunatone
D P Pt
  Dual-slot
Sapphire
38 8%
  Solrock
D P Pt
  Dual-slot
Ruby
64, 66 8%
  Solrock
D P Pt
  Dual-slot
Ruby
38 8%
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.


Generation VIII

Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

Before encountering a pillar
Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate
     
BD SP 45-46 30%
BD SP 44-46 30%
BD SP 44 5%
BD SP 45-46 35%
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.


Between first and second pillars
Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate
     
BD SP 55-56 30%
BD SP 54-56 30%
BD SP 54 5%
BD SP 55-56 35%
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.


Between second and third pillars
Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate
     
BD SP 65-66 30%
BD SP 64-66 30%
BD SP 64 5%
BD SP 65-66 35%
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.


Special encounters

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

A Giratina appears here on the first visit. If run from, it respawns upon leaving the area.

 
Types:
Ghost Dragon
Ability:
Pressure
Held item:
None
Giratina Lv.70
Shadow Force
Ghost Physical
Heal Block
Psychic Status
Earth Power
Ground Special
Slash
Normal Physical

Pokémon Platinum

 
Altered Forme Giratina at Turnback Cave in Platinum

An Altered Forme Giratina appears here after entering the Hall of Fame if it was defeated or run from in the Distortion World. If it is defeated or run from, it respawns after entering the Hall of Fame again.

 
Types:
Ghost Dragon
Ability:
Pressure
Held item:
None
Giratina Lv.47
Ominous Wind
Ghost Special
AncientPower
Rock Special
Dragon Claw
Dragon Physical
Shadow Force
Ghost Physical

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

An Altered Forme Giratina appears here on the first visit. If defeated or run from, it respawns after entering the Hall of Fame.

 
Types:
Ghost Dragon
Ability:
Pressure
Held item:
  None  
Giratina Lv.70
Shadow Force
Ghost Physical
Pain Split
Normal Status
Aura Sphere
Fighting Special
Dragon Claw
Dragon Physical

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Giratina can be caught in its Origin Forme during Request 91: "On the Trail of Giratina", which becomes available after completion of Mission 26: "Seeking the Remaining Plates". It is coded to never be Shiny. If defeated, it respawns after the player exits and reenters the cave.

 
Types:
Ghost Dragon
Giratina Lv.70
Dragon Claw
Dragon Physical
Dragon Pulse
Dragon Special
Earth Power
Ground Special
Shadow Force
Ghost Physical

Layout

Entrance, pillar room, and Giratina's room

Version Entrance Pillar room Giratina's room
Diamond      
Pearl
Platinum    
 

Random rooms

Version Between entrance and first pillar Between first and second pillars Between second and third pillars
Diamond      
Pearl
Platinum
 

In the manga

 
Turnback Cave in Pokémon Adventures
 
The Distortion World portal in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Adventures

Platinum arc

In The Final Dimensional Duel V, Flint and Volkner entered the Distortion World through Turnback Cave. They were soon after followed by Platinum, Palmer, Cheryl, Riley, Mira, Marley, and the Advanced level Grunt. After leading the group to the portal, the Grunt was about to head out, but he was stopped by Platinum, who voiced her distrust towards him. She, however, promised to protect him from Team Galactic, which the Grunt agreed to, and led them through the portal.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!

Turnback Cave appeared in Enter the Distortion World!. After managing to make Kaisei spill out how to get to the Distortion World, Charon traveled to the cave and entered Giratina's realm through it with Kaisei, followed by Hareta, Koya, and Jun.

Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 歸途洞窟 Gwāitòuh Duhngfāt
Mandarin 歸途洞窟 / 归途洞窟 Guītú Dòngkū
  European French Grotte du RetourBDSP
Grotte RetourDPPt
  German Höhle der Umkehr
  Italian Grotta Ritorno
  Korean 귀혼동굴 Gwihon Donggul
  European Spanish Cueva Retorno
  Vietnamese Hang Quay Đầu

See also


Sinnoh
               
Settlements
Twinleaf TownSandgem TownJubilife CityOreburgh CityFloaroma TownEterna CityHearthome City
Solaceon TownVeilstone CityPastoria CityCelestic TownCanalave CitySnowpoint CitySunyshore City
Pokémon LeagueFight AreaSurvival AreaResort Area
Routes
201202203204205206207208209210211212213214215
216217218219220221222223224225226227228229230
Landmarks
Lake Verity (Lakefront) • Oreburgh GateOreburgh MineOreburgh Mining MuseumGlobal Terminal/Global Wonder Station
Ravaged PathFloaroma MeadowValley WindworksEterna ForestOld ChateauUnderground/Grand Underground
Wayward CaveMount CoronetAmity SquareLost TowerHallowed TowerSolaceon RuinsManiac TunnelLake Valor (Lakefront)
Great MarshPokémon MansionTrophy GardenFuego IronworksIron IslandLake Acuity (Lakefront) • Spear PillarVictory Road
Pal Park/Ramanas ParkContest HallBattle ZoneBattle ParkBattle Tower/Battle FrontierStark MountainSnowpoint Temple
Spring PathSendoff SpringTurnback CaveFullmoon IslandNewmoon IslandSeabreak PathFlower ParadiseHall of Origin
Access to
Distortion World
See also
Hisui


Hisui
         
Settlements
Jubilife VillageDiamond SettlementPearl SettlementAncient Retreat
Obsidian Fieldlands
Aspiration HillFloaro GardensHorseshoe PlainsGrueling GroveWorn BridgeDeertrack PathDeertrack Heights
Windswept RunNature's PantryTidewater DamThe HeartwoodGrandtree ArenaOreburrow TunnelObsidian Falls
Ramanas IslandSandgem FlatsLake Verity
Crimson Mirelands
Golden LowlandsGapejaw BogHolm of TrialsUrsa's RingSludge MoundScarlet BogSolaceon RuinsCloudpool Ridge
Shrouded RuinsDiamond HeathBolderoll SlopeCottonsedge PrairieDroning MeadowLake ValorBrava Arena
Cobalt Coastlands
Crossing SlopeGinkgo LandingAipom HillBathers' LagoonHideaway BayDeadwood HauntTombolo Walk
Sand's ReachTranquility CoveCastaway ShoreTidal PassageWindbreak StandSpring PathTurnback CaveIslespy Shore
Veilstone CapeLunker's LairSeagrass HavenSeaside HollowFirespit IslandMolten ArenaLava Dome Sanctum
Coronet Highlands
Heavenward LookoutWayward CaveWayward WoodAncient QuarrySonorous PathLonely SpringClamberclaw Cliffs
Celestica RuinsCelestica TrailPrimeval GrottoSacred PlazaStonetooth RowsBolderoll RavineFabled Spring
Moonview ArenaCloudcap PassStone PortalTemple of SinnohHall of Origin
Alabaster Icelands
Whiteout ValleyCrevasse PassageBonechill WastesHibernal CaveIcebound FallsAvalanche Slopes
Ice Column ChamberArena's ApproachAvalugg's LegacyIcepeak CavernSnowfall Hot SpringSecret Hollow
Glacier TerraceHeart's CragLake AcuitySnowpoint TempleIcepeak Arena
See also
SinnohMount CoronetSpace-time distortion


Game locations of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon
Kanto Seafoam IslandsPower PlantVictory RoadCerulean Cave
Route 10Route 25Pewter CityRoaming Pokémon
Sevii Islands Mt. EmberNavel RockBirth Island
Johto Ilex ForestBell TowerWhirl IslandsMt. Silver Cave
Burned TowerEmbedded TowerRoaming Pokémon
Hoenn Desert RuinsIsland CaveAncient TombCave of OriginMarine Cave
Terra CaveSky PillarSouthern IslandSea MauvilleScorched Slab
Pathless PlainNameless CavernFabled CaveGnarled Den
Trackless ForestCrescent IsleSkyRoaming Pokémon
Sinnoh Acuity CavernValor CavernSpear PillarTurnback Cave
Rock Peak RuinsIceberg RuinsIron RuinsSnowpoint Temple
Stark MountainNewmoon IslandFlower ParadiseHall of Origin
Ramanas ParkFloaroma TownRoaming Pokémon
Unova Guidance ChamberTrial ChamberRumination FieldN's CastleAbundant Shrine
Giant ChasmDragonspiral TowerLiberty GardenRoute 11Route 13Route 22
Route 23Celestial TowerNacrene CityUnderground RuinsTwist Mountain
DreamyardMarvelous BridgeReversal MountainCoastal BiomeRoaming Pokémon
Kalos Sea Spirit's DenTeam Flare Secret HQTerminus Cave
Unknown DungeonRoaming Pokémon
Alola Route 16Altar of the SunneAltar of the MooneMount LanakilaMahalo Trail
Ruins of ConflictRuins of LifeRuins of AbundanceRuins of Hope
Aether ParadiseAncient Poni PathLake of the SunneLake of the Moone
Ten Carat HillResolution Cave
Galar Tower summitBattle TowerMaster DojoCrown ShrineMax Lair
Rock Peak RuinsIceberg RuinsIron RuinsSplit-Decision RuinsGiant's Bed
Frigid SeaLakeside CaveBallimere LakeFreezingtonRoaming Pokémon
Hisui Seaside HollowTemple of SinnohAcuity CavernValor CavernVerity Cavern
Lava Dome SanctumMoonview ArenaSnowpoint TempleTurnback CaveBonechill Wastes
Cobalt CoastlandsRamanas IslandScarlet BogCoronet HighlandsFloaro Gardens
Paldea Grasswither ShrineIcerend ShrineGroundblight ShrineFirescourge Shrine
Poco PathArea ZeroArea Zero UnderdepthsGlaseado Mountain
South Province (Area One)Asado DesertWest Province (Area One)East Province (Area Three)
Casseroya LakeNorth Paldean SeaSouth Province (Area Four)North Province (Area Two)
Alfornada CavernGreat Crater of PaldeaTagtree ThicketEast Province (Area One)
South Province (Area Five)Dalizapa PassagePokémon LeagueSocarrat Trail
Kitakami Paradise BarrensWistful FieldsOni MountainDreaded DenLoyalty Plaza
Other Faraway IslandDistortion WorldSinjoh RuinsUltra Space Wilds


  This article is part of Project Locations, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on every location in the Pokémon world.