word - Snakes and Ladders

Things are getting a bit puzzly...

Reveal the Ladder and solve the clues to form a Word Ladder.

Find the word that fits in the clue “???”.

One fake clue is here to ruin your day [laughs wickedly]

$\color{white}{\textsf{3}}$S$\color{white}{\textsf{1}}$N$\color{white}{\textsf{T}}$A$\color{white}{\textsf{a}}$K$\color{white}{\textsf{9}}$E$\color{white}{\textsf{6}}$S$\color{white}{\textsf{Z}}$

Note:

All words are of the same length and the altered letter in each round is different.

Hint:

All clues are given with the correct form/ tense as the intended answer

_{This puzzle is a part of Ooohh, it all makes sense now! :D}

Answer

The word is LEAD.

LeppyR64 found the secret ladder using bit.ly\31Ta96Z.
SeaMonkey basically solved the ladder, but did not deal with the ??? And fake clue.

Given the comment that the fake clue does not lead to word, here is the ladder and explanation I arrived at:

BEEN - visited, travelled
BEAN - a pod of seeds
LEAN - with little fat
LEAD - ??? (the answer)
READ - study for a specialized qualification
ROAD - route
TOAD - unpleasant man
TOLD - gave them instructions or information

Fake clue = ask for permission or help