# 2048 Trail stages

Five repeatable trails take the same 2048 rules from a 128 target to a full 2048 summit. Every stage is open from the beginning, so you can choose the length that suits you.

## Play

The playable board loads above these notes when JavaScript is enabled. Choose Start your trail, then use the arrow keys, a swipe or the direction buttons.

## The rules of 2048 Trail stages

- Board: sixteen cells in four rows and four columns.
- New tiles: 2s (90%) and 4s (10%).
- Merges: Double equal numbers, once per tile in a move.
- Goal: reach 128, 256, 512, 1024 or 2048.
- A blocked move does not add a tile or count as a move.

## Read one move

A left move transforms this row as shown, before the next tile appears elsewhere on the board:

```
Before: 32 32 64 .
After:  64 64 . .
```

Each tile can merge once per move. A tile just created by a merge cannot immediately join another tile during the same swipe.

## A useful first exercise

A stage repeats its starting seed. Replay with the same moves to reproduce the same board, or change one decision and compare the result. Stage completion is saved locally.

Try Seedling clearing first, then Owl lookout. You can jump directly to Sunshine summit; the earlier stages are practice, not locks.

## Controls and saved rounds

Choose Start your trail, then use arrow keys, board swipes or the four direction buttons. Trail tip suggests a legal direction without changing the board. End round records an early stop; after an ending, New trail prepares another attempt. Your unfinished round and this mode's best score stay in this browser when storage is available. Changing a theme does not change a tile.

For the complete controls, read [how to play](../how-to-play.html). Compare [all nine variants](../variants-guide.html), choose [another game](../games.html), or work through the [practice lab](../practice-lab.html).

## Choose a stage

- [Stage 1: Seedling clearing — goal 128](stage-1.html#play)
- [Stage 2: Owl lookout — goal 256](stage-2.html#play)
- [Stage 3: Deer crossing — goal 512](stage-3.html#play)
- [Stage 4: Cabin path — goal 1024](stage-4.html#play)
- [Stage 5: Sunshine summit — goal 2048](stage-5.html#play)