FAQS

Start by watching the introductory videos!

A Treasure Trail is an imaginative way to explore towns, cities & villages across the beautiful landscapes of the UK with a self-guided, clue-themed walk.

With an easy-to-follow route the trails will enable you to solve clues whilst taking in some of the most fascinating sights an area has to offer, together, in the beautiful outdoors.

Mysterious Trails have a fast-growing, high quality number of trails across the UK, and it doesn't matter if you're local or visiting somewhere new for the very first time, the enjoyment and immersive nature of the trails will keep you entertained for hours.

By solving the clues on the Trail, you'll either be discovering whodunit, finding the location of a historical buried treasure, or finding out who committed a historical crime, like a true detective.

The Trails are brilliant ways to see a location from a new perspective, whatever your age and, of course, whatever the weather! There’s also lots of refreshment venues to be found too!

Trails can be instantly downloaded at any time, day or night to print off at home, or downloaded to a digital or mobile device.

Priced at just £9.99, you only need one Trail booklet per family/group of up to 6 people. For a whole half or full-day exciting event, this is outstandingly good value!

So, how do the Trails work?

Every Trail is self-guided. There are no restrictions (aside from daylight) as to when you can do them. We are not there to meet you, so you can do them whenever you like, with whoever you like.Each Trail is an A5 booklet of 8 pages. We have three themes; Murder Mystery, Treasure Hunt and Spy Mission. A Trail will be any one of those three themes - the Trail Writer will have already decided this theme having spent some considerable time researching the areas interesting history!

The themes

The themes are great fun as they allow us to create a story around the Mysterious Trail based on an extension of area history. Basically, you are solving a series of clues (normally 20-25) to solve any mystery, whilst taking in a scenic walk (on average around 2-3 miles) usually in a couple or group setting.

Trail mechanics

Every Trail has a short introductory video and clear instructions on how to solve the mystery and where to start. So you really don't need a map or any prior local knowledge - just double check your start location before you set off!

Who are the Trails meant for?

The Trails really are for all ages and most fitness levels. As the trails are completed at your own pace, you can make as many pitstops, café and shopping detours as you like. You are the ones deciding how long it will take to complete.

Pushchair and wheelchair access?

We have tried our absolute best to ensure that some of the Trails are accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs. But, of course, that is not always possible. However, we have tried to be inclusive as much as we can, given the walking scenarios and our icons for access reflect these values and aims.

Difficulty walking at a pace?

Don’t worry! The Trails are generally set as gentle walks, so always go at your own pace. You can always come back another day to complete at no extra cost!

the Highway Code

Always attempt to stick to the Highway Code during all walks, for instance walking towards oncoming traffic in circumstances where there are no pathways.

Driving and cycling trails

95% of our Trails are just good old fashioned walking Trails – respecting our core mission - but many can be attempted on a bike. However, please be very cautious about the legality of bike access in the area please.

Want to bring Rover, the lovable dog?

We are often asked if Mysterious Trails can be completed with a dog. That is entirely your choice, and many people do take their loved pooches with them on our trails. Go right ahead, but please be mindful of any relevant dog restrictions and laws and bylaws. Keep dogs on a lead in most areas, most of the time unless otherwise stated in the area. Also, please be very mindful of lambing seasons and trespass laws near farms.

More than 5 people going on your trail?

The Trails work best for small groups of between 2-5 people. The idea is that you all work off the one Trail booklet so that you work together as a team. If there are more of you than 5, there is always the option of buying other group booklets or digital copies.

Don’t worry if you get stuck on a clue…

As we have invested in something we call the SMS/E 'Stuck on a clue' helpline. This is a service we set up to help struggling detectives and to accommodate any very recent changes or building works that may appear on one of trails. Text 07446 102 213 or email answers@mysterioustrails.co.uk. We aim to answer trail questions within two hours normally. However, be mindful that, during really busy times, this may take longer. You can have up to three answer opportunities for each trail.

Trail Format

We offer the Trail to you in two different formats, an A4 pdf booklet version and a digital or mobile device version. The downloadable version of the Trail is a straight A4 pages format to make it easier to place in a waterproof cover or just to staple at home.

Trail and Delivery Price

The standard Trails costs just £9.99. With a personalised Birthday or Business/School Event version available at £20.

Completed the Trail?

Enter your answer online or by text or email to RC1, the police robot, for the correct or incorrect answer video access and for a chance to win one of our limited Mysterious Trails key fob.

Top Trail tip - don't buy your Trail too far in advance

We all like to be organised, but as Trails do sometimes have to be updated due to changes in the clue answer material, we advise you not to buy a Trail too far in advance. A couple of weeks is usually spot on, a couple of months will probably be ok, but a couple of years? It's highly likely that the location will have changed and/or we will have updated the Trail clues to keep out trails ‘fresh’. We really don't want you going on a Trail which has been updated as this could cause unnecessary frustration if you are trying to solve a clue that has long since been replaced and already updated by us.