It has a total length of 800 km (500 mi) and lies along the border of Norway, Sweden and Finland.

The trail crosses international borders 15 times and ends in the south in Sulitjelma (Norway) or alternately Kvikkjokk (Sweden).

[2] Many in Sweden are operated by the STF[3] and those in Finland by Finnish Forest Administration.

Some huts are fully staffed and serve food, while most are self-service (some of these require getting the DNT key).

Because Norway, Sweden and Finland all have laws establishing freedom to roam, it is also possible to camp elsewhere along the trail, legally and for free.