In short
There are 4 ways to get a place on our 100 trails and races: luck (49, lotteries and ballots); speed (26, fixed-date bookings); quotas and operators (11, quota permits and tour operators); a bed in every hut (14, huts). Knowing which one applies tells you what to do, and when.
The 4 ways at a glance
| Way | What decides | What to do | Next opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lotteries and ballots49 of 100 | Luck | Apply before the deadline | Valencia Half MarathonNovember 10, 2026 |
| Fixed-date bookings26 of 100 | Speed | Be online when it opens | Pacific Crest TrailNovember 4, 2026 |
| Quota permits and tour operators11 of 100 | Quotas and operators | Book early with an operator | TBA |
| Huts14 of 100 | A bed in every hut | Book each hut as soon as it opens | Haute Route Chamonix-ZermattNovember 15, 2026 |
1Lotteries and ballots what decides: luck
You apply during an entry window. After it closes, a draw picks the winners. No need to log in at the very first minute: all that matters is applying before the window closes. Note the results date instead, as winners often have to confirm and pay quickly.
What our guides say
- New York City Marathon: ~1 % chance in 2026 (more than 240,000 applicants). 2026 cycle: February 4 to 25, drawing on March 4.
- The Wave: Monthly lottery for the month 4 months ahead: 48 spots per day, 6 people per application.
- Western States 100: You need a qualifying race finished between 3 November 2025 and 8 November 2026.
- Paris Marathon: First ballot in the race's history for 2027: 166,000 applicants from 8 to 30 September 2026, results emailed from 1 October, 72 hours to pay, then extra draws. Next ballot, for 2028, expected in September 2027.
Next openings: Valencia Half Marathon, November 10, 2026; Mont Blanc Marathon, November 12, 2026; Dublin Marathon, November 12, 2026. All 49 dates →
2Fixed-date bookings what decides: speed
Places go first come, first served, on a set date and often at a set time. Create your account beforehand, then be logged in at the stated time, checking the time zone.
What our guides say
- Festival des Templiers: First come, first served: in 2026, official opening on 19 January, 10 races full in under 10 minutes.
- Overland Track: Opened on July 7, 2026 at 9 a.m.; 34 spots per day, December to March full within a day.
- Prague Marathon: First come, first served, no ballot. 2027 entries opened in early September 2026 and were still open in late October 2026 at the top price (€120).
- Boston Marathon: The fastest get in first: for 2027, you needed to be 5 min 17 s under your qualifying time. 1,000 spots drawn among the other qualifiers. 2026 cycle: September 14 to 18.
Next openings: Pacific Crest Trail, November 4, 2026; Hallasan, December 1, 2026; West Coast Trail, January 15, 2027. All 26 dates →
3Quota permits and tour operators what decides: quotas and operators
Permits are capped, per day or per season, and are often sold through an operator or with a compulsory guide. Choose your operator, then book months ahead: the operator gets the permit for you.
What our guides say
- Inca Trail: 2027 permits sold only through licensed agencies; 500 people per day, guides and porters included.
- Kilimanjaro: Agency required, no lottery.
- Mount Kinabalu: Daily quota, full months ahead.
- Everest Base Camp: Guide required since 2023.
4Huts what decides: a bed in every hut
Each hut opens bookings on its own date. On a multi-day trek you need a bed in every hut, on the right nights. Plan your itinerary before bookings open, then book the busiest stages first.
What our guides say
- Tour du Mont Blanc: Refuges open one by one; the most popular fill up within days.
- Alta Via 1: Each refuge has its own system; openings are spread from November to March.
- Matterhorn, Hörnli hut: Only 150 beds for the whole Swiss side of the Matterhorn: summer dates go within hours.
- Laugavegur: July and August fill up months ahead.
Next openings: Haute Route Chamonix-Zermatt, November 15, 2026; Alta Via 1, November 15, 2026; Alta Via 2, November 15, 2026. All 14 dates →
And when it opens: 4 rhythms
The way tells you who gets the place. The rhythm tells you when to act.
| Rhythm | How it works | How many | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| A fixed date | one opening date a year, the same for everyone | 78 | most guides |
| Every month | a new window every month, for a later start month | 5 | The Wave, The Subway |
| A rolling window | a set number of days before each start date | 3 | Kalalau Trail (90 days before), John Muir Trail (24 weeks before) |
| All year round | no single opening date: book whenever you like, as early as you can | 14 | Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, Aconcagua |
Don't miss an opening
Add every opening on this page to your calendar: your phone reminds you 1 week before and the day before each one.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a lottery and a fixed-date booking?
In a lottery, chance decides among all applications sent before the deadline. In a fixed-date booking, the first people online take the places.
Do you need to log in right at the opening for a lottery?
No: for a lottery, when you apply makes no difference to your chances, as long as you apply before the deadline.
How many trails and races use a lottery?
49 of 100 in our calendar. The rest: 26 fixed-date bookings, 11 quota permits or operators, 14 huts.