The Dink Network

I agree with dinkinfreak. The idea of putting obstacles on the path is not too bad, but there are too many of them. Beside, they can't be spotted until you nearly stumble onto them because of the darkness.
How many screens Dink has to get across after entering the forest?

EDIT: I managed to reenter the city after half a dozen screens, but everything was still dark and I couldn't find the church before being killed. Any hints?