Geocachers celebrate the holidays in many ways—from earning souvenirs and hosting Events to finding “just one more cache” before the year ends. In many places, a popular tradition is holiday and winter geocache trails.

Throughout fall and winter, local geocachers create seasonal series to give back to the community. Some trails release one cache per day like an advent calendar, while others publish all at once for a planned outing. No matter the format, they share the same spirit: creativity, generosity, and community.

Check out some winter geocache series from around the world:

A Team Effort in British Columbia—Advent 25 (BMF5J2V)
Not all holiday trails are solo projects. This series is shared among three cache owners, turning it into a collaborative gift for the community. Collaborative trails can be a fun way to distribute planning, creativity, and maintenance, while also building community connections.

An Annual Tradition—Adventskalender SG 2025 (BMF5J3F)
For some geocachers, Advent trails are an annual tradition. The German geocaching team KlingenXmasCommunity publishes an Advent trail year after year, creating something local geocachers look forward to each holiday season. Twenty-four Mystery Caches challenge geocachers to solve Christmas-themed riddles to find a festive surprise.

A Long-Running Series in Norway—VV Advent Cache Series (BMF65K1)
This winter Advent series in Norway shows how holiday trails are a lasting community tradition. Published in 2023 and still active, it’s a great example of an Advent-style series that continues to bring geocachers outside long after the season ends. The geocaching community Vestfold Vikings in Vestfold released an Advent series every year for many years.

Winter Makes the Route Possible (Alaska)—Winter Series (BMF5J41)
In Alaska, winter doesn’t just add atmosphere; it can change the landscape. This winter series turns a difficult summer route into a winter-friendly geocaching experience.

5 Hints to Winter Caching in Minnesota Series (BMF5J46)
This winter cache series in Minnesota aims to educate geocachers on winter safety. Each geocache in the series provides useful tips and tricks for enjoying geocaching safely and responsibly in the winter!

Feeling inspired? Here are some suggestions for designing your own seasonal geocache series:

Winter cache trails are meant to be fun, festive, and community-focused, but they can come with extra challenges.

Here are a few tips and reminders for cache owners and seekers to help keep the experience safe and enjoyable:

• Winter isn’t just a season; it’s a setting. In many parts of the world, accessing the cache changes with the season. Frozen creeks, packed snow trails, and seasonal routes can make a cache easier or harder to find.
• Use clear attributes and seasonal warnings. If a cache depends on frozen conditions, make it clear on the cache page. If travel routes, parking, and accessibility change based on the season, include those details so geocachers can plan accordingly.
• Consider longevity. Geocaches are intended to last for at least three months. Design your hides and trails to be enjoyed by the community beyond a single season.
• Plan for winter conditions. Shorter daylight hours, weather, and trail conditions matter; always read the cache description, review attributes, and follow local safety guidance. For winter hides, seekers should always use judgment and safe practices.

Do you have a winter caching tradition in your community, such as winter trails, annual events, themed hides, or a favorite “first find of the year” ritual?

We’d love to hear about it. Share your favorite seasonal series, winter-friendly hides, or end-of-year geocaching traditions, and let’s inspire one another, no matter which hemisphere you’re caching in.

Happy caching, and Happy New Year!