A hike around the Schmidt Peninsula (along the northern tip of Sakhalin)

We continue along the coast, admiring the sea views and the picturesque steep bank. We'll also encounter several interesting waterfalls. The hike promises to be easy; we'll walk on sand or small rocks. Several fords await us along the way, the largest of which is the ford across the Pilvo River, about 30 meters wide. If the river is deep enough, packrafts will come to our aid (we'll take a couple of packrafts with us, as there are water obstacles along the route that can be difficult to ford). We'll set up camp near one of the rivers on the shore. We'll cover about 22 km in one day.

The shores become more picturesque, with rocky cliffs coming ever closer to the water. However, this also creates certain difficulties along the way, as these cliffs have to be navigated by water or by climbing up the cliffs and then back down to the shore. Fishing camps are often located in these areas, and we might set up camp near one of them.

We'll walk about 15 km.

Today's journey will be challenging. We'll encounter two large cliffs along the way, which we'll likely have to navigate by climbing, sometimes through dense forest windfalls. There are no trails here, but the beauty of the untouched wilderness is all the more striking.

Today we'll reach Cape Maria with its lighthouse of the same name. Along the way, we'll encounter a large, rusty ship washed ashore many years ago. The lighthouse is no longer operational, but it makes a picturesque appearance on the beautiful seashore. Cape Maria was discovered in 1805 by the first Russian round-the-world expedition on the sloop Nadezhda, commanded by Ivan Fedorovich Kruzenshtern. The cape is named after the mother of Russian Emperor Alexander I, the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna. The Maria Lighthouse was originally built in 1935 as a wooden tower, which was later replaced with a permanent 18-meter structure. You might even be able to climb the lighthouse. We'll stop for the night here, not far from the lighthouse.

We'll cover about 15 km in one day.

From Cape Maria, we head toward the Ugolny tract. Part of the route runs through open terrain, and part through a dwarf pine forest. The tract is located approximately 6.5 km from the cape and is so named because coal seams are exposed in the coastal outcrops, pieces of which can be seen on the shore. Then, passing steep coastal cliffs with several waterfalls, we reach Lake Monchigar. This lagoon-type lake is approximately 800 meters long. There are good campsites and plenty of driftwood for a fire near the lake, where we will spend the night.

We will cover approximately 15 km this day.

Today we'll walk along a flat shore, first on sand, then over small rocks. The only significant obstacle along the way will be the Kuegda Bay channel, about 80 meters wide. On the opposite bank is a large fishing camp, founded on the site of the former Nivkh village of Nyvrovo. Typically, the fishermen help tourists cross by boat. But if there are no fishermen at the camp, we'll organize a crossing by packraft. After the crossing, we'll stop for the night near the former village of Nyvrovo—the northernmost settlement on Sakhalin, now uninhabited. A few fishermen's houses and the buildings of a former fishing collective farm remain of the village.

We'll walk about 15 km.

Our goal for this day is to reach Cape Elizaveta, the northernmost point of Sakhalin Island. We'll pass a weather station along the way. Until 2022, the station was operational and staffed by a married couple, but it's currently closed.

Approximately 3 km from the weather station, beyond the Umlyanaya Stream, rocky shores begin, and then, beyond the Porsh River, the shore becomes rocky, with sand giving way to large boulders. Soon, we begin to encounter shallows that can be crossed from below at low tide.

We'll pass the large Cape Baklaniy, climbing up scree and cliffs. In places, the path will be blocked by thickets of dwarf pine, but the reward for the difficult climb will be the magnificent views from above. The 539-meter-high slopes of Mount Baklanya loom over the cape, and the cape itself juts out into the sea like a powerful canopy.

Beyond the cape, we'll descend to the shore, where we'll see a 7-meter-high waterfall on the Kolf River. After a while, we'll need to climb back up to go around another cape, and then the path to Cape Elizabeth itself will be above ground. In some places, we'll have to navigate through thickets of dwarf pine, after which we'll emerge onto an open area with a wooden cross. But this isn't the northernmost point of the island; we still have to walk about 500 meters to the actual Cape Elizabeth, which juts out a little further into the sea. Many seabirds usually rest on its white, sloping cliffs.

And so we've reached the northernmost point of Sakhalin Island! Cape Elizabeth, like Cape Maria, was named by Ivan Kruzenshtern, the leader of the first Russian circumnavigation expedition, in 1805, in honor of Grand Duchess Elizabeth Alexeyevna, wife of Emperor Alexander I. About a kilometer from the northernmost point of Sakhalin Island stands the Elizabeth Lighthouse, along with several buildings where the lighthouse crew lived and worked. The buildings are currently abandoned, as the lighthouse has been inactive since 2018. We will explore the lighthouse and set up camp nearby. The lighthouse offers a beautiful view of the rugged eastern coast of the Schmidt Peninsula.

We'll walk along a beautiful rocky coastline, passing numerous gorges: some of them are crossed by water, others by cliffs. Along the way, we'll pass several waterfalls, the largest of which, Tukspi-Mamu, is 22 meters high and one of the highest on Sakhalin. By the end of the day, we'll reach the Taliki River, where a fishing camp is usually located. We'll stop here for the night.

We'll cover about 19 km in one day.

We continue our journey along the east coast of the Schmidt Peninsula, admiring its rugged beauty. Today we'll cross several cliffs, climbing cape terraces with magnificent views. Along the way, we'll also pass cozy sandy coves, perfect for a rest. We'll stop for the night in one of these coves at the mouth of the Neokh River.

We'll cover about 15 km this day.

Today, we'll tackle one of the most challenging peaks on the east coast—Cape Kruchinny. To get past it, we'll have to climb almost 200 meters and then descend a fairly steep, loose slope. Fortunately, by the time we reach these challenging sections, our backpacks will be significantly lighter than at the start of the hike, as most of our supplies will already have been consumed. After Cape Kruchinny, we'll pass the wide, green valley of the Orlinaya River, overlooking the bare Eastern Ridge with Mount Orlinaya at its head. Further out to sea, we'll see interesting cliffs, one of which resembles a Steller sea lion with its head upturned. Two more capes await us, which we'll need to pass, climbing to their saddles, and then a flat section will begin to the Tom River, where we plan to set up camp. We'll cover about 15 km in one day.

Today's hike will be significantly easier than the previous ones; the treks are behind us, and our path will first run along a rocky but relatively flat bank, and then completely over firm, smooth sand. We'll cross the Big Longree River and set up camp on the Hayton River.

We'll cover about 15 km in one day.

There's just a little bit left to go before our hiking route ends, about 10 km, and one natural obstacle in the form of the Tropto Bay channel, which we'll overcome using packrafts. On the other side of the channel is a fishing lodge. A dirt road leads to the lodge, which we'll drive along to the town of Okha, where we'll stay at a hotel or hostel. We'll walk about 10 km in a day, or drive 40 km.

Spare days. These may be needed to wait out severe weather, wait for low tide for more comfortable passage through the gorges, or for other unforeseen circumstances. If necessary, they can also be used as rest days.

Flight home. Those who wish can continue their journey and relax in the beautiful countryside, but without backpacks and tents, on a comfortable guided tour to Iturup Island.

Our hike will take place in an area similar to the Far North, so despite the height of summer, the air temperature may be cool. Typical temperatures in our hike area in the first half of August are around 18-20 degrees Celsius during the day and 12-15 degrees Celsius at night.

The weather can be damp and windy, so a shell jacket, raincoat, and waterproof shoes are absolutely essential.

The route will include fords and shallows that will require crossing through water. We believe rubber sandals or Crocs are the best footwear for this. Rubber boots are not ideal, as they add weight to an already heavy backpack, and because the water may be deeper than boots, you could still be drenched at least waist-deep when crossing shallows. To cross particularly deep or wide fords, we'll take two shared packrafts, which we can use to swim across channels and/or carry backpacks.

Don't forget about bloodsuckers. Bring insect repellent. A mosquito net is a good idea.

We'll be traversing a lot of mountainous terrain, over rocky outcrops of varying sizes, and over rocky outcrops, so be careful when choosing your footwear. You'll need high-quality, well-worn trekking boots.

You'll also need: a backpack (80-100 liters) with a rain cover, a sleeping bag (suitable for temperatures around 5 degrees Celsius or lower), a sleeping pad, a seat, a headlamp and spare batteries, a plastic water bottle and/or thermos, a mug, spoon, bowl, and knife, and trekking poles.

Equipment list:

• Backpack (80-100 L) with a rain cover;
• Sleeping bag (comfort temperature around 5 degrees Celsius or lower);
• Sleeping mat (foam or inflatable);
• Seat cushion;
• Headlamp and spare batteries;
• Plastic water bottle and/or thermos;
• Personal utensils (mug, spoon, bowl, knife);
• Hat;
• Lightweight headwear (cap/bandana);
• Personal hygiene products, personal first aid kit;
• Repellent (several bottles);
• Sunscreen cream;
• mosquito net hat;
• raincoat;
• trekking poles;
• trekking boots;
• crocs or rubber sandals;
• insulated jacket (for evenings);
• membrane jacket;
• gloves;
• thermal underwear;
• several pairs of synthetic trekking socks;
• wool socks;
• two pairs of walking pants;
• fleece jacket;
• several T-shirts, underwear.

1. Registration for the hike is only possible after an interview with one of the hike organizers.
2. If you have any chronic illnesses or restrictions related to your health or physical characteristics, you must disclose them before signing up for the hike, during the interview! Failure to disclose this information will result in you refusing to accept responsibility for your life during the hike!
3. We also ask that you inform us in advance about your habits, preferences, and eating habits. Vegans and vegetarians are welcome to participate in the hike; however, this places greater responsibility for their diet on them, as it is extremely difficult to accommodate unusual dietary needs on a hike of this difficulty.

1. If you are interested in this tour, leave a request through the registration form on this page or write to us at WhatsApp, Telegram or by email, we will contact you and answer all your questions.
2. To reserve a place, you must make an advance payment of 30% of the tour cost. The advance payment is made through the website (section Payment) and is refundable 45 days or more before the start of the tour and non-refundable, unfortunately, less than 45 days before the start, if the refund is related to your refusal to participate (for any reason). If the tour does not take place due to our fault, due to the group not being formed, or due to force majeure, the advance payment will be guaranteed to be returned to you in any case.
3. The final payment is made on the first day of the tour. You can pay using the QR code that the tour organizer will provide you, in cash, or through the website.