SD really pulled back from what snaking used to be in the betas. They didn't want to have the player gain an advantage over the AI by being able to snake out to resources like Forests and Rivers for extra bonuses.

Many of the community still appriciate the snaking concept and utilize Parrotmath's snaking mod: https://forums.elementalgame.com/444851/page/7/#3399218

I think snaking is wrong, only because the AI cant use it like we can.  I do what I can to snake, but I think the current balance is just about right.

The snaking mod only allows access for one to build logging camps and piers when your city grows near a forest or river. I have made other mods that allow one to build bridges to move your city past a river and grow on either side.

I like the idea of building an appropriate building when my city is next to a physical feature (like a pier or logging camp). But I do not take the concept to the extreme as one may expand their influence in a way to gather the most resources without outposts or connect cities without outposts by building structures close to each other, i.e. building a city that looks like a snake.

Snaking can be very useful for making more city plots near you available. Once you extend your borders out 5 squares from the center there is a chance you will make a plot fertile enough to plant a city down. This is another reason to pump up your zoc on your cities. 

I actually don't like that aspect of the game. Often when it happens, really crappy locations are the result and the AI likes moving in and settling....