Game guide · 400286
River Crossing Puzzle: a guide for your next round
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. The game area remains available above the explanation. Everyone starts on the near bank. The farmer rows and can take at most one passenger.
The classic single wolf–goat–cabbage puzzle, with one-passenger boat and seven-crossing optimal solution. No claim of a large level collection.
Practice with a purpose
Take a moment to check the current turn. Cross alone or take someone on the same bank as the farmer. Unsafe crossings are rejected before the state changes. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Understand the aim
Take a moment to check the current turn. Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended.
How to proceed
- Everyone starts on the near bank. The farmer rows and can take at most one passenger.
- The wolf cannot stay with the goat without the farmer. The goat cannot stay with the cabbage without the farmer.
- Cross alone or take someone on the same bank as the farmer. Unsafe crossings are rejected before the state changes.
- Bring all four across. Use Undo or Restart to explore another sequence.
Choosing and moving on screen
Check the rule below as you play. Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Work through an example
A careful first move helps you understand the round. Taking the goat first leaves the wolf with the cabbage, which is safe. Taking the wolf first would leave the goat with the cabbage and is refused. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
A mistake to avoid
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Helpful answers for players
What is the aim of River Crossing Puzzle?
Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. A new round resets the current game.
When I start, how do the controls work?
Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
During a round, can you show an example?
Taking the goat first leaves the wolf with the cabbage, which is safe. Taking the wolf first would leave the goat with the cabbage and is refused. No download or player account is required.
When I start, which mistake should I avoid?
The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
When I start, what rules and limits are used here?
The classic single wolf–goat–cabbage puzzle, with one-passenger boat and seven-crossing optimal solution. No claim of a large level collection. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
When I start, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, can the farmer travel alone?
Yes. Cross alone moves only the farmer and boat to the opposite bank. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, why was my crossing refused?
It would leave the wolf with the goat or the goat with the cabbage without the farmer. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
On this page, can I carry two passengers?
No. The boat holds the farmer and at most one passenger. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. A new round resets the current game.