The trail starts at the Rütli: the meadow where, according to tradition, the oath of allegiance forming the original Swiss Confederacy was taken in 1291.
It then passes through Bauen, Flüelen, Sisikon (location of the Tellskapelle) and Morschach, finishing at Brunnen.
The total length is around 35 km (22 mi), taking 2 or 3 days to complete.
Uniquely, each canton received a portion of the trail to design, proportional to its population in 1991.
The cantons' sections appear on the trail in the order in which they joined the Swiss confederation.