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Heading out in December: what to book

What to book, and when, for a trip in December 2026

2 lotteries4 bookings2 huts4 agency permits1 permit lottery

Updated · Checked

Next opening 44 days Valencia Marathon, December 16

In short

13 trails and races for a trip in December: hikes in their best season, and races held that month. Next opening: Valencia Marathon, December 16, 2026. Also: 1 on a rolling window, 5 can be booked all year.

Edge colour: type of opening Lotteries and ballotsFixed-date bookingsQuota permits and tour operatorsHuts

Upcoming openings soonest first

December 2026

  1. 16Dec.Wed.
    Valencia MarathonLottery opensValencia, Spain · Marathons and halve · Lottery
    in 44 daysestimated

April 2027

  1. 28AprilWed.
    Shanghai MarathonLottery opens, at 3:00 p.m., Shanghai time, closes May 28Shanghai, China · Marathons and halve · Lottery
    in 177 daysestimated

May 2027

  1. 12MayWed.
    Milford TrackGreat Walks bookings open, at 9:30 a.m., Auckland timeNew Zealand · Hike · Booking
    in 191 daysestimated
  2. 14MayFri.
    Routeburn TrackGreat Walks bookings open, at 9:30 a.m., Auckland timeNew Zealand · Hike · Booking
    in 193 daysestimated
  3. 18MayTue.
    Kepler TrackGreat Walks bookings open, at 9:30 a.m., Auckland timeNew Zealand · Hike · Booking
    in 197 daysestimated

June 2027

  1. 1JuneTue.
    Torres del Paine W and OBooking opens for the refuges and campsitesChile · Hike · Huts
    in 211 daysestimated

July 2027

  1. 6JulyTue.
    Overland TrackBooking opens for the walking pass, at 9:00 a.m., Hobart timeTasmania, Australia · Hike · Booking
    in 246 daysestimated

Rolling windows the date depends on your start date

  1. 30days
    Yushan, Paiyun LodgeFor a start in December 2026: booking opens between November 1 and December 1, 2026, depending on your dateTaiwan · rolling window, 30 days before your start date

All year round no single opening date

  1. ∞all year
    AconcaguaBookable all year, no single opening dateArgentina · Hike · Agency permit
  2. ∞all year
    Bwindi gorilla trekkingBookable all year, no single opening dateUganda · Hike · Agency permit
  3. ∞all year
    Ciudad PerdidaBookable all year, no single opening dateColombia · Hike · Agency permit
  4. ∞all year
    Three Capes TrackBookable all year, no single opening dateTasmania, Australia · Hike · Huts
  5. ∞all year
    Volcanoes gorilla trekkingBookable all year, no single opening dateRwanda · Hike · Agency permit

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 should you book for a trip in December?

Valencia Marathon: lottery opens on December 16, 2026; Shanghai Marathon: lottery opens on April 28, 2027; Milford Track: great Walks bookings open on May 12, 2027; Routeburn Track: great Walks bookings open on May 14, 2027; Kepler Track: great Walks bookings open on May 18, 2027; Torres del Paine W and O: booking opens for the refuges and campsites on June 1, 2027; Overland Track: booking opens for the walking pass on July 6, 2027; Aconcagua: all year; Bwindi gorilla trekking: all year; Ciudad Perdida: all year; Three Capes Track: all year; Volcanoes gorilla trekking: all year; Yushan, Paiyun Lodge: 30 days before your start date.

What is the next opening?

Valencia Marathon: lottery opens on Wednesday, December 16, 2026.

Which ones use a lottery?

Valencia Marathon; Shanghai Marathon; Yushan, Paiyun Lodge.

Which ones can be booked all year?

Aconcagua; Bwindi gorilla trekking; Ciudad Perdida; Three Capes Track; Volcanoes gorilla trekking.

What is a rolling window?

Booking opens a set number of days before each start date: Yushan, Paiyun Lodge: 30 days.

See also

Heading out in November: what to book16 trails and racesHeading out in January: what to book12 trails and racesWhat opens in DecemberEvery opening this month
Sources and checks. Each date comes from its guide, which gives its source and how reliable it is. “Estimated”: worked out from previous years, to be confirmed. “Press”: announced by the specialist press. Months for a trip: the trail's best season, or the month of the race. Page updated on October 27, 2026.