A subset of intracellular transmembrane proteins such as acid-hydrolase receptors, processing peptidases and SNAREs, as well as extracellular protein toxins such as Shiga toxin and ricin, undergoes 'retrograde' transport from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network. Here, we discuss recent studies that have begun to unravel the molecular machinery that is involved in this process. We also propose a central role for a 'tubular endosomal network' in sorting to recycling pathways that lead not only to the trans-Golgi network but also to different plasma-membrane domains and to specialized storage vesicles.