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Yachting Monthly

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Salona 46: ‘Tough, sporty and fighting fit’

• David Harding
• May 10, 2022

As a sporty mid-40, the Salona 46 faces stiff competition but also looks tough, competitively priced and well equipped to make her mark

The hull has short overhangs for a long waterline, but the slightly raked stern gives looks that should last. Credit: David Harding

Product Overview

• Fast and forgiving under sail
• Easy to manage short-handed
• Light, airy and practical down below
• Small chart table
• Non-slip finish on deck could be better
• Moulded headliners restrict access to underside of deck

Price as reviewed:

Performance cruisers around the 45ft (14m) mark are not exactly thin on the ground.

At least half a dozen well-established yards in Europe alone are producing sporty 40-somethings, all looking to offer a subtly different blend of qualities.

For anyone seeking a boat in this broad category, the Salona 46 might not be the first that springs to mind, perhaps because the Salona name is less well-known – in western Europe at least – than some of the others.

The Salona 46 is easy to handle shorthanded. Credit: David Harding

It’s becoming better known, however.

This Croatian yard has now been building boats for two decades and has enjoyed a more consistent and high-profile presence in the UK in recent years.

And then there’s the price of the new 46: starting at around £248,000 before VAT, it looks rather attractive.

More for your money?

When you see a boat costing less than you might expect, you’re naturally going to wonder what’s missing.

But look at the specification of the Salona and, among other things, you see that she’s built with vacuum-infused laminates, vinylester resins, clear gel coat below the waterline and a stainless steel frame bonded to the inside of the hull to distribute the loads from the keel , mast and rigging .

None of that suggests penny-pinching when it comes to the structure.

What’s more, we know that Croatia has a long tradition of boat building and has produced some pretty impressive boats of all sizes.

We also know that the designers of the Salona 46, J&J (based just along the coast in Slovenia) are more than capable of designing slippery, well-mannered boats when they’re given the freedom to do so.

In any event, a quick glance at the lines and statistics gives you no reason to believe that the Salona 46 is going to be left behind on the performance front.

An uncluttered deck layout, with clear side decks and the under-deck furling drum allowing a low foot for the headsail. Credit: David Harding

She’s as up-to-the-minute as you could wish for when it comes to go-fast features – and styling too – from the deep, T-bulb keel to the short ends, high-fractional rig with minimal-overlap headsail, twin wheels and large, low-level ports in the hull.

The principal reasons for the Salona’s notably low price are that she’s the product of a team known for designing ‘production-friendly’ boats that are slick to build, and then built in a country where labour rates are among the lowest in Europe.

To a potential purchaser, everything might now be starting to add up.

If you like what you see on paper, you might next be tempted to have a look at the Salona 46 in the flesh. You would be unlikely to be disappointed if you did.

Nicely finished inside and out (bar a few areas on our test boat that needed tidying up), she undoubtedly epitomises the performance cruiser of the early 2020s.

That said, despite her modern styling she’s by no means extreme and doesn’t slavishly follow fashion.

Wide side decks and comings keep the cockpit to a sensible width. Credit: David Harding

It might be a surprise to some that she doesn’t sport twin rudders or incorporate chines in the stern. At the other end, the stem is a few degrees off vertical.

She’s modern for sure, yet in a way that means she will probably look less dated than trendier boats in a few years’ time.

Those who have had reason to observe Salona for a while will recognise that this reflects a consistent approach.

My first introduction to the company was in 2004, two years after its inception, when I sailed the 45 in Trieste and Split.

Back then the 45, also designed by J&J, was just what the 46 is now.

Over the following years I have sailed many other Salonas. The most recent, in 2019, was the 380, designed by Maurizio Cossutti, but for the latest model the yard decided to go back to J&J.

Putting on a show

The first Salona 46 to arrive in the UK made it just in time for the Southampton Boat Show .

I had a look at her there and then went for a spin in the Solent a few weeks later.

The German-style mainsheet runs aft beneath the deck. Credit: David Harding

Spending time aboard and seeing the boat from different angles provided an opportunity to note features that hadn’t drawn attention to themselves before, such as the shape of the stem.

It’s narrow at the waterline but wide enough at deck level to allow the furling drum to be mounted below the deck.

An under-deck drum is found most commonly when a forestay is well abaft the stemhead on boats with a pronounced rake to the stem.

Moving it aft reduces the J measurement, so this approach only works with non-overlapping headsails if the boat is light enough for an adequate sail area/displacement ratio to be maintained and if the foretriangle doesn’t become too skinny.

Given her sail area/displacement ratio (20.9 with the 100% foretriangle) and other factors including the narrow waterline beam, the Salona should power up rapidly in anything more than a zephyr.

The under-deck drum allows a low headsail foot for increased efficiency as well as giving a clean appearance and easier access to the anchor roller.

As with many performance cruisers, sails are not supplied as standard.

A comfortable perch on the deck by the helm station. Credit: David Harding

Our test boat had a mainsail and 105% headsail in tri-radial Dacron from One Sails’ loft in Split.

The mainsail was well matched to the keel-stepped Seldén mast despite the lack of tension on the D1s. Bend was induced by the hydraulic tensioner (or twin cascades if you prefer) on the Dyneema backstay.

Naturally a folding prop is fitted – a two-blader as standard or an optional three-blader as on our test boat.

The Salona is ballasted by a keel with a steel shaft and lead bulb giving a draught of 2.44m (8ft) unless you choose the shallow or deep alternatives (2.1m/6ft 11in or 2.61m/8ft 7in).

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Cast all in iron, the former is bound to compromise performance.

Deeper keels often weigh less, providing a lower centre of gravity for a greater righting moment as well as reducing the boat’s overall weight.

In this case the deep fin weighs slightly more than the standard, so its CG is substantially lower.

If you also chose the carbon mast, rod rigging, flush seacocks and lightweight interior with foam-cored bulkheads, you would have a pretty potent rocket-ship on your hands.

Even in standard form the Salona 46 doesn’t hang around.

A broad steam creates space for the headsail’s furling drum to be mounted below the deck. Credit: David Harding

In a breeze of 12-16 knots, we clocked just over 7 knots upwind.

The combination of a shifty offshore breeze and instruments that needed calibrating made it hard to gauge our angles with any precision, but a combination of interpolation and compass headings suggested a true wind angle of 36-37°.

Response from the reasonably high-geared Jefa steering (less than 1.5 turns from lock to lock) was crisp, while the deep rudder made the boat tolerant when provoked.

If we tried bearing away from hard on the wind with the sheets pinned in, for example, the blade only lost grip as the gunwale approached the water.

Our reprimand was a gentle rounding-up; not the instantly-head-to-the-wind reaction you sometimes experience.

When you have deep draught and a balanced hull form, a single deep rudder will often provide ample grip and give feedback through the wheel that twin blades seldom do.

Control centre

Twin wheels are a different matter, and probably considered the only practical solution on a boat of this size and nature.

And while it can feel like a long way down to the leeward gunwale when you’re helming from the high side of a broad-sterned 46-footer, at least the Salona is less broad in the stern than some.

Choose between hydraulic and cascade tensioning for the backstay. Credit: David Harding

To help you stay on the high side – where the perch on the deck is pretty comfortable – foot-braces hinge up from the cockpit sole.

Forward of the wheels, the cockpit is far more sensibly designed than many.

Wide side decks and comfortable coamings keep it to a practical width, unlike the open dance floors one sees all too often.

A removable table, with folding leaves and a stainless frame, acts as a central hand-hold or foot-brace.

A diverter roller keeps the chain away from the furling drum in the anchor locker. Credit: David Harding

The choice and position of the hardware strikes a good balance between what’s needed for shorthanded sailing and fully crewed racing.

Lewmar 45 self-tailers handle the German-style mainsheet, which is led aft each side beneath the deck.

A full-width traveller is recessed into the cockpit sole between the winches and the helm stations.

Further forward on the coamings is a pair of Lewmar 50s for the headsail.

Another pair of 45s is on the coachroof, the port one for the main halyard on our test boat being an electric upgrade at a cost of around £4,200.

The galley is secure and well equipped, with plenty of drawers, light and ventilation. Credit: David Harding

Moving forward again we find two central hatches between the companionway and the mast. The moulding in the centre here is smooth.

Elsewhere the deck and coachroof are finished in a non-slip pattern that’s on the gentle side under-foot.

Perhaps it’s grippier if you have boots with soles that are still supple.

At least the non-slip won’t be too harsh on your clothing as you slide across the deck and coachroof during tacks.

Racing crews will also appreciate the fact that the substantial wooden toerail is lower and flatter abaft the chainplates for more comfortable hiking.

A functional layout below decks strikes a good balance between seagoing practicality and in-harbour comfort. Credit: David Harding

At the bow, the toerail ends level with the aft end of the anchor locker. Immediately abaft this, and separated from it by a watertight bulkhead (there’s one in the stern too) is a deck locker big enough to swallow plenty of warps and fenders and a downwind sail or two.

The locker is sacrificed if you choose the four-cabin layout with two cabins in the bow instead of the master cabin.

Beneath the locker our test boat had a retractable bow-thruster, accounting for around £6,500 of the £80,000-worth of extras that brought it up to a pretty decent cruising spec.

The standard 57hp Yanmar gave us nearly 9 knots at full chat (2,300rpm) and 6.7 knots at a comfortable 1,600 rpm.

If you prefer the idea of electric propulsion , you can have a system developed by Oceanvolt in Finland that also offers the option of hydro-generation under sail.

Below decks

Heading down the hatch as the boat made upwind suggested that Salona has thought about life at sea below decks as well as above.

The companionway steps have bevelled edges for secure footing, though they might benefit from a little more non-slip.

The master cabin in the three-cabin layout, complete with en-suite heads and hullside windows. Credit: David Harding

Handholds are good. You find a tubular rail each side below the windows and one overhead too.

I once asked a well-known interior designer why he hadn’t incorporated an overhead rail in a boat I was involved with.

His reply was, ‘It’s not a bus!’. To many of us, overhead rails still have their place.

As on deck, Salona has avoided wide open spaces so you can move around securely when the boat’s heeled.

It’s good to see that these practical features have not meant sacrificing the general appeal of the interior: they’re unlikely to put people off who judge it solely by what it offers within the confines of a marina .

The main heads and shower compartment serves both aft cabins. Credit: David Harding

It’s a light and airy layout, finished as standard in light European oak or in other timbers for an extra cost.

Salona can incorporate a degree of customisation; one benefit of being a relatively small yard, and something many don’t offer.

The joinery is neatly finished and reassuringly substantial. No internal mouldings are used below deck level except in the heads, giving easier access to the inside of the hull and allowing bulkheads to be bonded directly to the hull too.

Moulded headliners are used, however, so the bulkheads are slotted into them.

Lifting the sole boards in the saloon reveals the steel frame, through the central part of which the keel is bolted with its ten M30 bolts.

With a powerful rig and a deep keel, the Salona 46 delivered a good turn of speed on the wind. Credit: David Harding

Moulded reinforcement runs from the frame up the topsides to the chainplates.

Both the general layout and the detailing look well thought out, even if purists might bemoan the fact that the chart table is on the small side and mounted at the aft end of the starboard saloon berth.

Apparently a larger one will be offered.

A few decades ago, this would have been the chart table of a 25-footer. Twin double aft cabins come as standard, with space down the centreline between them if you chose to have a generator room.

Verdict on the Salona 46

Although Salona is still a relatively young company, it’s encouraging to see that it has remained true to the principles it started with 20 years ago: of producing unfussy boats that are fast, well mannered, forgiving, easy to handle and, it seems, solidly built.

They’re wholesome boats; modern and stylish, yet confident enough in what they offer to have no need to pander to the demands of fashion unless the fashion is born of something that’s of practical value.

Twin wheels are necessary on a wide stern, but the single rudder is responsible with plenty of grip. Credit: David Harding

Our test boat was an early example and one or two areas could have done with some tidying up.

These were relatively minor and did little to detract from the overall impression of a nicely finished boat.

The price precludes a lovingly hand-crafted interior of the sort offered by some Scandinavian yards, even given the labour rates in Croatia, but it’s to the credit of both builder and designer that the Salona doesn’t look like a product of slick production engineering.

Would the Salona 46 suit you and your crew?

If you’re looking for a performance cruiser of this size and general type, there’s a good chance the Salona will stack up pretty well.

Looking at her tells you what to expect: her performance is entirely consistent with her appearance. If you like what you see, you will probably like the boat.

I see no reason why she shouldn’t be competitive on the race course if pointed in the right direction, but there’s a much bigger market for fast cruisers than for race boats.

Weight has been kept low so the boat responds well in light airs . Credit: David Harding

This is a boat that’s responsive and rewarding to sail while not punishing lapses of concentration.

You could tune her up to full-on racing spec, or down for easy cruising.

Go green and silent with electric power if you like.

Whichever way you go, you will have plenty of options and a good deal of boat for your money.

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Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria: More than Mt. Elbrus!

If you’ve traveled to the North Caucasus before, there is a good chance you’ve already been to Kabardino-Balkaria, and you didn’t even know it!  Kabardino-Balkaria lies in the center of the North Caucasus region, is home to Mt. Elbrus, but more than that is a treasure chest of travel possibilities.  Here is our guide to traveling through the republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, or 9 travel tips to this beautiful land:

1. How do I get there?

Kabardino-Balkaria hosts a large number of both foreign and Russian travelers every year, and has an improving infrastructure able to handle the incoming masses.  Let’s start with the obvious.  You might be a mountain climber or skier coming to enjoy the slopes of Mt. Elbrus.  That means you’re likely arriving on an airplane to Russia.  Here are your travel options:

A. Plane – We advise you fly into the Mineralni Vodi (MRV) airport in the Stavropol Region, which is about 45 minutes from the border of Kabardino-Balkaria.  MRV is the largest airport in the North Caucasus, and has daily direct flights to and from all 3 airpots in Moscow (SVO, DME, and VKO), direct flights from St. Petersburg, and several international flight routes as well, including from Istanbul, Dubai, Greece, Tel Aviv, and Bishkek.  The MRV airport has a growing infrastructure and is the most obvious choice to fly into if going to Elbrus.  From MRV, it’s a 2 hr. drive to Nalchik, and a 3.5 hr. drive to Mt. Elbrus.

That being said, the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, Nalchik (NAL), also has a small regional airport with a daily flight to/from Moscow as well as weekly flights to Istanbul. As is to be expected in most smaller, regional airports around Russia, the service standard at a small airport like this will be minimal.  As a result, we recommend you flying in and out of MRV if able.  It’s a 2 hr. drive to Elbrus from Nalchik.  You can also fly into other regional airports which are 2 hrs. from Nalchik, such as OGZ in North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz) or IGT in Ingushetia (Magas).

B.  Car/Public Transport – If you have a car, are using a taxi, or are hitch-hiking your way to Kabardino-Balkaria, the region is accessible by a variety of roads and vehicles.  A major Russian federal highway E50 runs through Pyatigorsk into Kabardino-Balkaria, and can take you towards Mt. Elbrus, Nalchik, and deeper into the North Caucasus.  There are daily mini-buses, or “marshrutkas”, that travel to Nalchik from Pyatigorsk, Vladikavkaz, Grozny, and Magas, if you’re coming from a neighboring republic.  From the main Nalchik bus station, there is a marshrutka that goes to Terskol (i.e. Mt. Elbrus) daily around 12:30 pm; for that matter,  marshrutkas run daily into every valley of this beautiful republic.  For the seasoned international traveler, you can drive from the country of Georgia up the famed “Georgian Military Highway” through the heart of the Caucasus Mountains, cross the border into Russia at the “Verkhni Lars” border stop, and be in Nalchik in about 2.5 hours as well. 

Anyone traveling on their own should download the “Yandex” taxi app, which is Russia’s version of Uber, and has a very user-friendly app with affordable prices.  In smaller villages/towns where Yandex’s service doesn’t reach, just ask a local and they’ll direct you to a friend or relative who can taxi you where you need to go!

C.  Train – Kabardino-Balkaria is also very accessible by the famous cross-country Russian train system if that’s your preferred method of travel.  Almost all trains to the North Caucasus pass through Mineralni Vodi in the Stavropol region to the north, so make sure wherever you are coming from, Mineralni Vodi is one of the stops.  Despite Nalchik having a train station, the city is about 45 minutes from the main railway route that runs diagonal through the North Caucasus, and as a result it’s a bit convoluted to get a train directly to Nalchik.  That being said, the town Prokhladni is a regular stop on trains going to/coming from Baku, Makhachkala, Grozny, Nazran, and Vladikavkaz, so you can always hop off there and find your way by public transport or taxi.

2.  What are the best places to stay?

This list could get exhaustive, fast. 🙂  Let’s first look at an overview of the republic’s geography, followed by hotel recommendations:

A. Nalchik – This is the capital city of Kabardino-Balkaria, with a population of around 250,000.  Nalchik is growing and new, modern hotels are being built regularly.  Here are some of our recommendations:

-Modern and comfortable:  Azimut , Butik Otel

-Budget with less frills:  Hotel Rossia , Korona

You could comfortably spend a week in Nalchik, while doing day trips into Kabardino-Balkaria’s beautiful mountain valleys.

B.  Baksan Valley – This is the most traveled road in Kabardino-Balkaria, the road to Mt. Elbrus.  If you have questions about its safety because of travel warnings, please see our detailed blog here of the drive to erase any doubts or fears.  Needless to say, because of the draw of Mt. Elbrus, there are a huge variety of lodging options at the end of this valley, from 4-star to mid-range to budget to hostel.  Here are just a few we’ll recommend from our experience:

-Modern and comfortable 4-star-ish:  Azau Star , Kristall 139

-Budget with less frills 3-star-ish:   Laguna , Povorot

If you’re a mountain climber with your sites set on the summit of Elbrus, you’ll have to spend at least 3-4 nights at Elbrus’s famous base camp at 13,000 feet.  The “barrel huts” are not easy to book directly with, and we highly recommend you do your climb (and hence, have your bookings handled) through a trusted climbing company.  Here are two shelters at base camp we recommend:

-Modern and comfortable:  Leaprus

-Budget with less frills:  Heart of Elbrus Lodge

If you’re interested in climbing Mt. Elbrus and staying in these barrel huts, click  here  to see our climbing itineraries, pricing, and group dates.

C.  Chegem Valley – Chegem Valley is the adjacent valley to Elbrus’s Baksan Valley, and is famous for its beautiful waterfalls as well as being Russia’s top paragliding location.  The “ Paradrome ” has modest accommodations for those wanting to get to know this beautiful valley for a longer period of time.

D.  Upper Balkaria, or Cherek Valley – This is another beautiful mountain gorge not too far from Nalchik.  There is an authentic lodging complex in Upper Balkaria called Tau-El, with amazing local food for meals as well.

E.  Border Zone lodging – Several of Kabardino-Balkaria’s mountain gorges run into the border zone with neighboring country Georgia, i.e. an area that foreigners cannot enter without a special permit from the local government (often taking 2 months to receive).  There is a famous mountaineering lodge in Bezengi Valley, where several generations of Russian mountain climbers have honed their craft in the Caucasus Mountains.  Perpendicular to Baksan Valley (about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus) is Adyr-Suu Valley, where there is a lodge for back-country skiers to stay, while trying their hands (and feet!) on the untouched snow of that valley.  Both these valleys require border permits for foreigners, but are possible to access for the more adventurous!

3.  Top cities to visit?

Most locals would agree that Nalchik is the main city of significance to visit in Kabardino-Balkaria, but let’s be honest, even more would say, “Just go to the mountains!”  Tirnauz is the capital of the Elbrus district, and is an interesting town to spend some time in, with its unique location in the mountains and place in Soviet history as a once-booming mining town.  The main thing to consider in visiting Nalchik and other cities in the lowlands, is the chance to experience Kabardian culture and food.  Whereas the deeper you go into the valleys, the more you’ll encounter Balkar culture and food.

4.  Best local foods to try?

There are 3 types of food that come to mind, when spending time in Kabardino-Balkaria:

A. Khychiny – This is one of the staple national dishes of the Balkar people, and what you’ll inevitably be served if guests of local Balkars.  It’s a thin buttery flat bread, sometimes cooked with fillings of cottage cheese, fresh greens, or potatoes.  It is often slathered in butter, but wow is that some tasty greasy goodness! 🙂

B.  Shashlik – Shashlik is a MUST for any visit anywhere in the North Caucasus!  Most people would agree that it’s the national food of the entire region.  Shashlik is meat shish kabobs; while pork and turkey can be found in some parts of the Caucasus, lamb or chicken are the preferred shashlik meats of choice in Kabardino-Balkaria. 

C.  Soup – No matter where you are in Russia, you’re sure to find a local soup that people love.  Kabardino-Balkaria is no different.  Especially in the winter months in the mountain valleys, there’s nothing better than to come inside from the cold weather and warm your body up to a bowl of hearty Caucasus soup.  Whether Georgian kharcho or local Balkar lakhman, make sure to try your hand at one of these soups with a side of fresh baked bread/lavash!

5.  Top Hole-In-The-Wall restaurants:

Of course, for a republic of this size, we’re bound to leave at least a few great local joints off our list, but here are a few to get you started. ***Note:  Restaurants in the North Caucasus are much better known for their food than their service, so prepare for tasty food, but manage your expectations about service:

-Elbrus – Kogutai Restaurant at Mt. Cheget – While this isn’t a hole-in-the-wall restaurant per se, it’s one of many to choose from in the Cheget tourist village, and we have found them to provide consistently good food and service.  Kogutai has a nice interior, and maybe most important, an English-language menu with good pictures. 🙂  There also is a nice outdoor patio with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.

-Nalchik #1 – Tameris Restaurant – This is a cafe with a relaxed atmosphere in the capital Nalchik.  Local tour company Elbrus Elevation has taken foreign groups there on multiple occasions and always had good experiences.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 3. 

-Nalchik #2 – Cafe-Bar Oasis – You have to know where this restaurant is to find it, but once inside, you won’t regret it!  There is a unique cafeteria-style ordering process, that includes several dishes being cooked on the spot once ordered.  You can sample local Kabardian dishes here.  The seating area is very modern and a pleasant atmosphere to have a meal in.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 2. 

-Upper Balkaria – Tau-El Restaurant – This is the restaurant part of the Tau-El Tourist Complex in Upper Balkaria.  Whether spending the night or just passing through, make sure to stop here for a meal!

6.  Must-See Sites

This republic is so chock full of “must-see” destinations, it’s impossible to narrow the list down.  Here are just a few suggestions to get you started: (***Mt. Elbrus is a no-brainer and we’re assuming that’s on your list)

A. El-Tyubu and Paradrome – This is an amazing area towards the end of Chegem Valley.  Many tourists visit the famous Chegem Waterfalls and don’t drive any further down this gorge, which really is a shame.  El-Tyubu is a picturesque Balkar village with several historical sites to see, including some ancient mausoleums.  The real gem of the area, though, is the Paradrome , which is Russia’s premier paragliding destination.  The combination of the scenic surrounding mountains and constant winds produces almost daily conditions to sail through the beautiful Caucasus sky.  Highly recommend!

B.  Upper Balkaria – Also known as Cherek Valley, the entire drive to the actual village of Upper Balkaria is one big destination.  First, you can spend time at the 3 consecutive “ Blue Lakes ”, one of which is one of Russia’s deepest lakes with an underground spring.  Then, the drive itself becomes an adventure, as you pass by steep rock walls with a huge drop-off on the other side.  If you’re able to walk this part of the road, that is a bonus!  Once you’ve made your way through the valley walls, the region opens up into a beautiful panoramic view.  Many years ago, there were multiple villages in this region, but they’ve since been condensed into one main village.  You can see some of the ancient Balkar towers that their ancestors used to live in as well.

C.  Djili-Suu – Although hard to pronounce and not easy to get to, Djili-Suu is one of those places in the North Caucasus that people rave about that you “have to” visit.  It’s actually on the North side of Mt. Elbrus, and more accessible from the Mineral Waters region (2 hrs. from Kislovodsk).  The base camp for Elbrus climbers summiting the mountain from the North side is at Djili-Suu.  This area is famous in Russia for its numerous natural healing springs, as well as unique climate conditions that make for beneficial, long holidays for seeking a respite from their daily grind.  There are wide swaths of land available for camping, with probably the most unrivaled views of Mt. Elbrus in the North Caucasus.  Make sure to check this out!

7.  Off-the-beaten path destinations

A. King’s Waterfalls (Tsarskie), or Gedmisht – Probably the valley in Kabardino-Balkaria with the least amount of hype is the Malka Valley, which is the northernmost valley and mainly runs through the Kabardian lowlands.  At the point where the villages end, though (Khabas), the asphalt turns into dirt and the hills start to rise, culminating with the incredible King’s Waterfalls, or as one friend put it, Avatar Waterfalls.  These stunning waterfalls are best visited in the early summer, when everything is lush green and the water flow is strong, with many streams of water flowing down the earth’s surface.  The different colors are incredible and it’s hard to look away.  Once you’ve enjoyed the waterfalls, enjoy a meal of shashlik at one of the nearby lunch huts.  Having an off-road vehicle is ideal to visit these falls, but worth the time and effort!

B.  One-seater chair lift at Elbrus – As the infrastructure at Mt. Elbrus has modernized, some of the more “authentic” experiences have gone to the way-side.  This is one experience still available, though!  From the 2nd (11,000 ft.) to 3rd level (12,500 ft.) of Mt. Elbrus (whether skiing, going to base camp, or just touring), there is a single-seater chair lift for 100 rubles each way (less than $2).  This is an amazing experience if you have the time.  It’s 8-10 minutes each way, and a surreal experience of the majestic Caucasus mountain range surrounding you, skiers silently passing you by underneath, and in general enjoying the silent expanse of nature all around.  The chair lifts are from the Soviet times and so it feels like something from a different era.  For mountain climbers, the newer group cable car gives better access to most of base camp, but several huts are pretty close to this chair lift, so it still may be a good option for you.

C.  Abandoned Mines above Tirnauz – Tirnauz is about 1 hr. from Mt. Elbrus, and a town everyone drives through to and from the mountain.  Although today it looks old and half-abandoned, it was a booming mining town in the 20th century.  About a 45-minute drive above the city with an off-road vehicle, you can see the remains of the mining operations.  Learning about this history combined with the breath-taking views of the Baksan Valley and even into Georgia, you’ll wonder why more people aren’t visiting this place.  This is a great spot to see eagles soaring in the sky, as well as admire the Soviet city plan of Tirnauz from above.

8.  What do I need border zone passes to visit?

In Russia, any area within 5-10 km of a neighboring country, without a clearly delineated border (i.e. in the mountains) is considered a special border zone, and patrolled by Russian border guards.  This area IS accessible to all Russian citizens with their passports, but is NOT legally accessible to foreign citizens UNLESS you have a special permit from the FSB (Federal Security Bureau).  These permits are accessible, either through a tour operator or local friend, but require you to submit your application 45-60 days in advance.

Areas in Kabardino-Balkaria that are worth a visit if you have a border zone pass:

A.  Bezengi Wall – This is at the end of the Bezengi Valley, and holds a place of lore among Russian mountain climbers.  Many mountain guides go through training in this valley.  Five of the Caucasus Mountain’ range’s highest seven peaks are a part of the Bezengi Wall, so you can imagine the draw it has for climbers. There are great areas for trekking and camping in this area. 

B.  Adyr-Suu Gorge – This remote valley runs perpendicular to Baksan Valley and is about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus.  It’s marked at the entrance by a relic of the past, a car lift from Soviet days that auto-cranks your car (and you) about 50 meters up the mountain.  After 45-60 minutes of driving on gravel road, the gorge opens up into a flat valley with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.  The Adyr-Suu Alpine Lodge is at the end of this valley and where back-country skiers base out of during the acclimatization phase of their Mt. Elbrus ski tours.  This is truly a place where you can experience untouched powder!

C.  Mt. Cheget (Elbrus) – Cheget is a neighboring mountain to Mt. Elbrus and where many climbers will acclimatize, both at its base and while doing some hikes.  It also is famous in Russia for its free-ride terrain for more experienced skiers.  Standard access to the chair lifts and mountain are available to all (i.e. mountain climbers don’t need to worry about accidentally crossing into the zone), but anyone wanting to summit the peak of Cheget OR visit the beautiful Cheget Lake needs a border permit. 

Foreigners violating the border zone areas is considered a serious offense in Russia; make sure to do your due diligence if wanting to visit one of these areas!  We highly recommend using a local tour operator and always traveling with a local person if visiting one of these areas.

9.  Any cultural “do’s” or “don’t’s” to be aware of

Kabardino-Balkaria is a fascinating republic with a combination of traditional and modern society.  The more you interact with local people, the more you’ll see a mixture of Muslim faith, post-Soviet mentality, and ancient local traditions all wrapped together.   

Kabardians mainly live in the lowlands (Nalchik, Baksan, and lowland villages), while Balkars primarily live in the mountain valleys (Elbrus, Chegem, Upper Balkaria, etc.).  There is a large population of Russians in the region as well.  Foreigners visit every area of the region regularly, and so local people are used to and will welcome your presence.

Come with an open mind to learn about these peoples, their traditions, and their land.  You won’t regret your trip to Kabardino-Balkaria!

***Want to learn more?  Here are several self-published resources from the podcast “ CaucasTalk ” related to Kabardino-Balkaria:

– Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria (audio version of this blog)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 1)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 2)

– Interview with Local Elbrus guide

– Climbing Elbrus: Interview with American guide

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 1)

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 2)

– Skiing in the North Caucasus (Elbrus and more)

READY TO EXPERIENCE KABARDINO-BALKARIA FOR YOURSELF?

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Travel Information

• We no longer offer travel services to Russia. See Caucasus Quest Tours for new destinations
• Is it Safe to Travel to the Caucasus in 2024?
• Climbing Kazbek & Kilimanjaro: Comparing two 5,000+ meter peaks
• How to Train to climb Mt. Kazbek in Georgia

Our Elbrus Climbing Tours

• Climb Elbrus South Route
• Climb Elbrus North Route
• Climb Elbrus & The Capitals
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Russia Cultural Tours

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ALL Travel Services to Russia and Mt. Elbrus have been indefinitely suspended as of Feb. 2022.

Explore our new tour branch Caucasus Quest to climb Mt. Kazbek (5,054 meters) in Georgia or for immersive cultural touring experiences in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Visiting Russia - Nalchik, Capital of Kabardino-Balkaria

By Koryo Tours

Nalchik, capital of Kabardino-Balkaria

Visiting Russia – Nalchik

Yoshkar-ola | cheboksary  |  astrakhan | elista | stalingrad (volograd)  | abakan  |  nalchik  | validkavkaz  | makhachkala  |  grozny.

Nalchik is a small city of around 240,000 people and serves as the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, one of the lesser-known republics spread across the beautiful North Caucasus area of Russia, the mountain range that separates the former soviet states of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan from the Russian Federation.

This region has incredible diversity in ethnic groups and is a melting pot at the edge of empire. While there have been civilisations in the Caucasus for millennia Nalchik as a city is only a century old, having been a Russian fort since 1724. Today’s Nalchik is a mostly peaceful and relaxing place, being in the foothills of the mountains it has many areas of great beauty and multiple sanatoria for people looking to take the waters, over the last century it has certainly had its share of turbulence though, being occupied by Romanian troops fighting on the side of the Nazis, who embarked on an effort to exterminate the ancient community of Mountain Jews in the area (unsuccessfully), plus a 2005 Islamic militant attack on Russian security forces.

These days Nalchik is known as a clean city, a place for relaxing, and the starting point of expeditions to summit Mt. Elbrus, the tallest mountain in Europe, which lies within Kabardino-Balkaria.

Kabardians make up the largest ethnic group at just under 50% of the city’s population, followed by Russians, Balkars, other Caucasian nationalities as well as Ukrainians, Mountain Jews still live in the area but in very small numbers now, most having emigrated to Israel.

Arriving/Departing

Nalchik Airport (NAL) is a small one but is fully functional for getting in and out, usually the foreigners arriving here will be mountaineers heading for Elbrus.

The Airport is only 3km from the city centre so you could even walk into town from here, otherwise, there are taxis and marshrutkas waiting for arrivals. Flights arrive only from Moscow and St. Petersburg usually, the Caucasus has other larger airports for other international flights (such as those to Sochi). Nalchik has a railway station, dating from 1915, with links to Moscow and across the Caucasus. A good option for travelling around the region in a relaxing manner (usually slower than taking a marshrutka between cities though) For getting around inside Nalchik there are public buses all over the place, easy to use and very cheap. Otherwise most of the centre is very walkable, the main ‘high street’ is Lenin Avenue, which runs for several km through the centre of the city.

Concord Square

The centre of Nalchik and a good place to start a walking tour of the city, with the Kabardino-Balkaria parliament building on one side and Lenin stands at the other, fountains in the middle and Lenin Avenue cutting through the square

Religious Buildings

The central buildings of the main religions practised in Nalchik are both fine examples of their respective architectural styles; the Central Mosque and the Cathedral of Mary Magdalene are both worth visiting. Dress codes apply.

Not actually in Nalchik, but only 50km or so away so the city is the ideal base for starting an expedition. This is Europe’s highest mountain and a dormant volcano. There are cable car/chairlift options to get t the top for those who don’t wish to do it the hard way. It is possible to get up and down this mountain n a single day, making it certainly the simplest of the 7 continental highest peaks to climb.

Museum of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic

Great for explaining where you are and the history of the area. Mostly in Russian only though and does tend to assume some knowledge in advance. Still a good stop to get some intro into the complex history of this city and area in general.

Atazhukin Garden

A large park complex running for more than 2km along the eastern side of the city, alongside the Nalchik River. A very pleasant place with so much to see and do. The basic Nalchik Zoo is here, walking trails, restaurants and cafes, theatres, a very retro funfair, and a rickety but reliable cable car running up to a lovely viewpoint to see over the city and out to Mt. Elbrus.

Topped by a restaurant building built in the shape of a Kabardian warrior. An excellent few hours can be spent exploring this park and mingling with the locals of all ages who do their relaxing here.

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 THE YARD

Passion and devotion for building performance cruiser yacht that would match racing performance of the best racers on the market, as well as provide comfortable cruising abilities was a goal back in 2002., when all started. We find a winning formula, a perfect combination of performance, comfort and safety, crucial for relaxed and joyful living on board.

Croatian shipbuilding tradition that goes back to Ancient time when Salona (Solin) had been the coastal stronghold and the port of the Illyrian Delmats, enables Salona Yachts to achieve know-how in design, project management and skilled labour force. Therefore, technological level of boat building in Salona yard is a logical consequence.

DEVELOPMENT

Philosophy of boatbuilding.

Over time, our experience and understanding of our customers’ requirements has grown, leading our workforce to improved production technology and continued development in both the look and functionality of our boats. We have aimed for the top in quality, design and winning performance. Each Salona boat is built with individual attention to its new owner to become a personal statement.

Over the years Salona boats won many regattas around the world proving that Salona can win the toughest regattas and at the same time remain the comfort that is required for family cruising. The ability to sail fast comes hand in hand with perfect maneuverability and to stand against demanding weather conditions. All our models are easy to handle with less crew necessary to fully control the yacht, even in the toughest situations. The reason of such performance in this field lies in the strong and uncompromised construction of our yachts.

ADVANCED BUILDING TECHNIQUES

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Strong and light construction is a consequence of the advanced building techniques, such as vacuum infusion of the hulls and decks, used for many years. Modern building materials varying from multi - axial glass to carbon fibers combined with advance resins make our yachts an example of uncompromised construction quality.

In addition, all our models have been reinforced with stainless steel frame structure (the grid forms the structural spine of the boat) which supports the keel, mast and shrouds, giving our boats an extremely strong but light construction.

Technology itself doesn’t make the yacht a great one, it’s the team of experienced employees that create your dream yacht.

THE REMAINS OF THE ANCIENT CITY OF SALONA

Salona heritage.

The remains of the ancient City of Salona, the most important city in the ancient world, are located six kilometres north of Split. Salona’s favourable geographical position in the middle of the Eastern Adriatic Coast and its location within the well-protected Kastela Bay, along the delta of the river Salon (present Jadro) as well as good road connections, presented a precondition for fast and smooth development of this incredibly inspiring city, the metropolis of the Roman Province of Dalmatia.

Salona was initially a coastal stronghold and a port of the Illyrian Delmati. Furthermore, this port located in the eastern wing of the protected bay was a great impetus for the development of the city. The development was caused primarily by trade activities, and then, especially in the late centuries, by the change in people, worldviews, religious teachings, construction, shipbuilding, and other skills.

Today, Salona, materially speaking, is a pile of scattered and disposed remnants giving us just an idea of its former size, strength, extraordinary power and culture. Thus, a broken part of the letter, more precisely the serif of the initial letter “S” from the “SALONA” inscription, symbolizes today’s Salona and its remnants. But even more, it symbolizes the former mighty Salona. All of this is exactly what the serif through monumental capital represents. When the broken piece of the letter breaks off as shown in our logo, it resembles a sailboat and refers to the ancient shipbuilding tradition that the people of this area have been dealing with since the ancient times.

THE BEST VALUE OF SALONA YACHTS LIES IN THE WAY THEY ARE BUILT

Salona yachts.

Overall quality is not enough if you cannot find it in small details. Our interiors are ‘born’ in Catia 3D modeling software, passing extended tests before being implemented and assembled with care to create a product that will make both the owner and the builder proud.

The production process has been optimized for quality control, allowing each yacht to be inspected through every production phase. After the yacht leave the production site, our team of experts is at your service at all times.

The yacht equipment is made by world leading companies, perfectly matching the Salona style. Furthermore, our after sales network is active on five continents, meaning that Salona owner will never be alone.

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