National park · Russia
Sikhote‑AlinСихотэ‑Алинь
Enter Sikhote‑Alin for a day hike: pay the entry fee (≈ 200 RUB) and follow the marked trail to Tordoki Yani summit (≈ 4 h round‑trip) in late spring; avoid July‑August when rain makes trails slippery.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
15,000 km² (5,792 sq mi)5,792 sq mi (15,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 11Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Reach this subregion only from the EU side — Romania for …Check your own government travel advice for Russia before…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Eastern Europe ↗Reach this subregion only from the EU side — Romania for Moldova — through crossings run by recognised authorities; no route through Ukraine, Belarus or Russia is planned here.
- Eastern Europe ↗Re-read your government's advice for Moldova (it covers Transnistria) in the week you travel; the situation next door changes fast.
- Eastern Europe ↗Carry euros in cash for Transnistria and village Moldova; cards stop working at the Dniester.
- Russia ↗Check your own government travel advice for Russia before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Russia ↗Direct flights from much of Europe and North America are suspended; no independent tourist route is documented here.
- Russia ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Russia before you rely on it.
- Russian Far East ↗Read your own government's travel advice for Russia before booking anything; this desk does not plan around it.
- Russian Far East ↗Domestic flights are the backbone here — Yakutia Airlines, Aeroflot and S7 serve the main hubs; book early for summer.
- Russian Far East ↗Some districts, border zones and nature reserves need permits arranged weeks ahead; check with the operator.
At a glance
- Country
- Russia
- Area
- 15,000 km² (5,792 sq mi)5,792 sq mi (15,000 km²)
- The park covers roughly 15,000 km² of mountainous taiga and coastal ecosystems (check).
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Sikhote‑Alin is a UNESCO World Heritage mountain range in the Russian Far East, known for its high peaks, extensive taiga forests and rare wildlife such as the Amur tiger.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2009Sikhote‑Alin Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
15,000 km² (5,792 sq mi)5,792 sq mi (15,000 km²) · national park since 1990
The park covers roughly 15,000 km² of mountainous taiga and coastal ecosystems (check).
Why go
- Extensive taiga forest with rare wildlife such as Amur tiger and Siberian tiger.
- High peaks over 2 000 m offering panoramic views of sea cliffs and lakes.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, snow may block high passes.
- FebSame as Jan.
- MarSnow melt, trails become accessible.
- AprMild weather, wildflowers.
- MayDry, good visibility.
- JunWarm, occasional rain.
- JulFrequent rain, mud.
- AugRainy, leeches on trails.
- SepClearer, cooler.
- OctAutumn colours, dry.
- NovCold but clear.
- DecSnow, limited access.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amur tiger, brown bear, sable, Far Eastern wild catJun–Oct · Rare sightings; keep distance. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Salmon runs in mountain streamsMay–Jul · Good for fishing where permitted. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate area | Visitor centre, map shop, trailheads to Tordoki Yani and Ko Mountain. | Open with entry ticket. |
| High‑altitude zone | Summit trails above 1 800 m, alpine meadows. | Guided or experienced hikers only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on central range location.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | RUB 200–300 | person | Ticket bought at the main gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; wild camping prohibited.
- Fires
- Open fires not allowed outside designated areas.
- Pets
- Dogs must be on leash; some zones prohibit pets.
Where to stay
Near the park
Khabarovsk
Hotels and hostels, 3‑hour drive to park gate.
In the park
Local eco‑lodge near the gate
Basic rooms, meals included.
Safety
Weather change medium
Wild animals high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate area reachable by car; short walks to trailheads.
- Summit trails steep and not wheelchair‑accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Use designated trails to protect fragile alpine vegetation.
- Support local eco‑tour operators that follow park regulations.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sikhote‑Alin?
Entry is about 200–300 RUB per person, bought at the park gate.
What are the best hikes in Sikhote‑Alin?
Tordoki Yani summit (hard, 4–5 h) and Ko Mountain trek (hard, 6–7 h) are the most popular routes.
When is the best time to visit Sikhote‑Alin?
Late spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October) offer dry weather and good visibility.
Can I camp anywhere in the park?
Camping is allowed only in designated sites; wild camping is prohibited.
Do I need a guide for the summit hikes?
Guides are not mandatory for Tordoki Yani, but recommended for Ko Mountain due to route difficulty.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Sikhote‑Alin
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