There are twelve poles, each marked with the name of a hypothetical city. Visitors try to plan the shortest route that visits all twelve cities in a loop, ending where it started. Using the surveyors' wheels, visitors then walk the route and measure the distance. The shortest route is posted and subsequent participants try to find a shorter route.

There are special printed cards for participants to record their route.

For an easier problem or a confined space, fewer than twelve poles may be used.