Why is the Hilbert Curve any better in this situation than say lexicographical order on (x,y)?
It's pretty easy to imagine a counter-example that would have you traverse the length of the map, when the best route would be to detour on an existing traversal. Consider: 1...2...3...4...5 7...............6 8.......9........ 13..12.....11..10 versus 1...2...3...4...5 13..............6 12......9........ 11..10......8...7
http://www.texample.net/media/tikz/examples/PNG/hilbert-curv...
This might lead to say
. . . . . . . .
1 . . . . . . 2
4 . . . . . . 3
. . . . . . . .
when
. . . . . . . .
1 . . . . . . 4
2 . . . . . . 3
. . . . . . . .
is more efficient.
Generally speaking, it seems this is basically TSP.