The 483 km long route traverses the northern Alpine foothills, crossing passes and gorges, with its traditional settlements and cultures, some of which are based on alpine farming. This physically demanding route offers magnificent views of the high mountains and the central plateau, starting in St. Margrethen, passing through Appenzellerland and Glarnerland, over the 1948-meter-high Klausen Pass into Central Switzerland, over the Glaubenbielen Pass, and through Entlebuch and Emmental to Thun, continuing to Fribourg and through Greyerzerland and the Vaud Alps to Aigle.