Tinners’ Trail

About this board game

Tinners’ Trail is a board game for 3–4 players that takes about 90 minutes, set in nineteenth-century Cornwall. Players mine copper and tin, sell these resources when prices are high, and turn their earnings into opportunities beyond the county.

Mining has a cost, so careful development is central to the game. Players can place improvements that reduce the expense of extracting resources, helping them make more from Cornwall’s valuable deposits.

• Ports to support mining operations
• Adits to reduce the cost of mining
• Trains to improve mining efficiency

Timing matters as players decide when to sell their copper and tin. Holding out for higher prices can increase the money available for future plans, while developments can reduce the cost of getting resources to market.

Once money has been made through mining, it is invested in industries outside Cornwall. These investments provide victory points, making the transition from local mining to broader industry a key part of the game.

The earlier an investment is made, the better the return, creating an important balance between waiting for strong mining opportunities and committing money to industries in time. Tinners’ Trail combines resource extraction, development, market timing, and investment in a focused economic strategy game.

With its nineteenth-century setting and emphasis on copper, tin, and industrial growth, Tinners’ Trail presents a clear progression: develop mining operations, sell resources at favorable prices, and invest profits to build a winning score.