I think the level guide from the game page itself could be worth a read. Basically it explains the purpose of each and every different tile on the level. The level is mainly structured around trial and error, as your objective is to find the optimal way to get yourself to the goal. So cheap traps like being surrounded are bound to happen.
The rocks don't give any power ups, they're like blank tiles but only take longer to dig through. Digging them is kind of a gamble, whether it may lead to a power up underneath, another possible pathway, or just a waste of time.
Thanks for playing!