With good planning, you don't have to do all the steps in advance. You could, for example, set up 3 or 4 difficult steps and gauge how the recipient is enjoying the process. You could plant the remaining steps based on that information. This, of course would only work well for extended hunts.

This treasure hunt is a great way to introduce out-of-town visitors to a new place. You could plant the instructions in strategic places that give a good overall introduction to the location. Along with instructions for the treasure hunt, you could include information regarding the particular place (i.e. you are now on a hill that i frequently visit to read and study; the berm to your right delineates the high-water mark of the October 1582 flood!)

Another idea is to write a personal note to the recipient and tear it into several pieces. You could include one piece along with each instruction so the note would slowly form as they progressed along with the search.

We have found that the best responses from recipients are when the you hide instructions in creative locations. A well-hidden note in a busy or unique location almost always gets a great response. In the end, the quality of the treasure hunt is up to your imagination and creative use of your surroundings.