Today's NYT Strands is live for Tuesday, August 25, 2026 (Puzzle #905). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "Enjoying nature"
What It Really Means
You are hunting for things associated with exploring the outdoors on foot, including useful gear, navigation cues, and natural surroundings.
Think About...
- What you carry to stay refreshed outdoors.
- The signs and starting points that keep an outing on course.
- The terrain and living creatures encountered along the way.
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Left to right across the board
Letter Count: 9 letters
Starting Zone: Row 4, letter 1
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): The central phrase is an invitation to head outdoors on foot.
Hint 2 (Warmer): Think of a brisk imperative that tells someone to lace up and set out on foot.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is T, last letter is E
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TAKEAHIKE
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Something useful when thirst catches up with you outdoors.
Closer: This refillable field container carries drinking water, though the same term can also mean a dining facility.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 7 letters total
Answer
CANTEEN
Word 2
Vague: A cue that reassures you that you are going the right way.
Closer: A painted blaze or posted sign can serve as this navigational cue.
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 6 letters total
Answer
MARKER
Word 3
Vague: A defined way forward underfoot.
Closer: This narrow route is made for walking from one place to another.
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 4 letters total
Answer
PATH
Word 4
Vague: The place where an outdoor journey begins.
Closer: Look near a parking area or map board for this named starting point.
Letter Clue: Starts with T, 9 letters total
Answer
TRAILHEAD
Word 5
Vague: Living creatures encountered beyond human care and habitation.
Closer: Deer, foxes, birds, and other undomesticated animals collectively fit this term.
Letter Clue: Starts with W, 8 letters total
Answer
WILDLIFE
Word 6
Vague: A tree-filled place that feels enclosed by nature.
Closer: This smaller cousin of a forest is defined by its concentration of trees.
Letter Clue: Starts with W, 5 letters total
Answer
WOODS
Full Answers
Spangram: TAKEAHIKE
Theme Words:
- CANTEEN
- MARKER
- PATH
- TRAILHEAD
- WILDLIFE
- WOODS
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Medium, with a clear outdoor thread but a few broad words that can point in other directions.
Trickiest Word: CANTEEN is the trickiest word because it can denote either a portable water container or a dining facility, while this puzzle needs the outdoor sense.
Our Take: TAKE A HIKE gives the set an energetic center and turns the broad nature prompt into a specific outing. CANTEEN and MARKER cover equipment and guidance, while PATH, TRAILHEAD, WILDLIFE, and WOODS build the setting around them.
