The trail starts at the western part of Gompers Park in Chicago (41°59′51.4″N 87°46′2.9″W / 41.997611°N 87.767472°W / 41.997611; -87.767472), and from there it continues north approximately 22 miles (35 km) to Glencoe (42°8′15.9″N 87°46′53.6″W / 42.137750°N 87.781556°W / 42.137750; -87.781556).

The trail is also nearby Morton Grove, Edgebrook, and Forest Glen stations on Metra's Milwaukee District North Line towards the southern end.

Traversing the Garden and exiting the north entrance allows a brief portage west on Lake-Cook Rd to the southern end of the Skokie Valley Bike Path.

The abandoning of the Skokie Lagoons (Nike) missile base (constructed during the cold war) allowed the trail to be extended to Dundee Road.

The entire length of the paved trail was torn up and repaved in 2007, correcting many poor sections and offering a smooth and groomed pathway.

A complete gravel trail runs from the equestrian facility at Golf road to the Willow Rd dam site, with a separate underpass at the Edens Expressway.