In a series of posts I will show you how to make a maze in a wide variety of design constructions. The 8th type of maze construction is the Spiral maze. Let’s define what I mean, then get into the example. Every how-to will use a simple square so you can compare the differences between each maze construction type. I will also show a consolidated secondary how-to using an irregular shape (the state of Ohio).
Here is an outline for this blog post with jump links if you want to skip ahead to a section:
HOW TO MAKE A SPIRAL MAZE - Alternate example (Ohio)
SPIRAL MAZE DEFINITION
Spiral Maze - While a version of a spiral can be used in many maze constructions, a Spiral maze uses the spiral construction for the majority of the maze (and sometimes the entire maze), giving the maze a unique look.
THE 5 RULES OF MAZE DESIGN
These 5 rules apply to any maze you make so we start with them !
1. Always keep an open pathway for the solution
While drawing a maze you will need to juggle multiple open pathways each of which could become the solution. One of them will become the solution. Keep track of it. This is especially important if you are designing pathways in both directions (from the start and from the goal).
2. Clearly mark the start and goal, or the objective of the maze
A maze should have a start and a goal that you can assess just by glancing at it. There are many ways to start and end a maze I review in this blog post: Options for Starting and Ending a Maze
3. Ensure the difficulty matches the intended audience
Most people want to solve a puzzle/maze that is just slightly below or slightly above their skill level. Many things help determine the difficulty of a maze. Size, number of branches, the length of dead ends, the number of choices, the complexity of the rules (if the maze has them).
4. Ensure your maze has a solution
When your maze is complete, solve it to determine the difficulty level and to ensure it is a real, solvable maze. Depending on the complexity of the maze you may want to do this right away or wait so you can properly assess the difficulty.
5. Explain anything that needs explaining
Some mazes have rules or conditions. Explain them with directions. If it isn't obvious, make it so.
HOW TO MAKE A SPIRAL MAZE
Step 1 - Draw the Outline
The outline of the maze makes the outer wall of the maze. It can be anything from a simple shape like a square, to a complex picture. The outline should be thicker than the internal lines to give the maze definition. In the example below I chose the state of Ohio. Ideally your spiral maze will be a square or rectangle.
Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal
For the below example I chose the start of Cleveland and the goal of Cincinnati.
Step 2 - Start Drawing the Spiral
Take the outline and begin making a spiral by drawing walls. Remember that as you build the spiral you must embed the spiral’s exit from the start. I made it into a 3 part gallery so you can control and see the initial pathways being made.
Continue drawing the walls towards the center, while occasionally splitting the pathway to confuse the solver. And, of course, keep track of which pathway is the exit ! I typically keep this pathway in a spot away from the other “open” incoming pathways that I have not made into dead ends/correct yet. The branches you create as you move towards the center can be hard to keep track of and checking your work is vital to get this maze construction correct. See the video below to watch how the branches are split out and come together in the center !
And finally complete the spiral by linking the exit to one of the entrance pathways in the center.
Step 3 - Complete the Maze Walls
Completing the remaining walls to the goal.
And because I used grids to help draw this digitally, I erased the grids for the final maze:
Step 4 - Make the Maze Solution
Highlight the correct path in the final version of the maze to create the final Maze solution. While this is optional for some constructions of mazes, the difficulty of drawing and solving a spiral maze mean that providing a solution is essential. I find that the solution of spiral mazes means longer solutions and using more of the maze. Below, a significant part of the maze is included in the solution. For the solver to follow along more easily I made it blue to the center and red coming out !
HOW TO MAKE A SPIRAL MAZE - Alternate example (Ohio)
Step 1 - Draw the Outline
Step 1.5 - Choose the Start and Goal
Step 2 - Start Drawing the Spiral
Step 3 - Draw any Additional Walls
Step 4 - Complete the Maze Walls
Step 5 - Make the Maze Solution
ADDITIONAL SPIRAL MAZE EXAMPLES
Here is an example of a spiral maze in a simple box format. When you have a rectangular shape to maze, the spiral maze construction is the perfect construction to use. The pathways are not wide but they are hard to follow with your eyes to solve (your eyes may jump lines and not know it). Typically any choices you make are not known to be wrong until you are in the center of the spiral and you reach a dead end or or loop. This can make even small spirals difficult to solve quickly.
For my second example, I have an easy Spiral maze. Not a lot of choices on the way in. Nice wide pathways.
My third example is a medium size scale Spiral Maze. Try to solve it with your eyes…so difficult.
MAKING A SPIRAL MAZE VIDEO
Here is a video of the making of a spiral maze using standard equal maze paths.
Interested in learning how to make or draw other types of digital mazes ? I have step by step instructions on how to make over 40 different maze types.
If you prefer making labyrinths, you can find step by step labyrinth making instructions.
