Asanwadi to Tamhini

There's a road connecting Asanwadi to Hirdiwadi, and it's the obvious line — but taking it breaks the continuity of the EST. So the route skips it and stays with the landscape instead, using two remote ghatvaats to keep moving south without losing the character of the trail.

Asanwadi itself is barely a settlement — five or six houses. From here, the trail drops into Derya Ghat: only 2.3 km, but a loss of close to 500 m, so it feels steep from the start. It begins along an open, easy-to-read ridgeline, then pulls into a gully, and again into a flatter gully near the base. The terrain keeps shifting, so stay alert the whole way.

There's one exposed rock patch on this descent — slow down here, especially while descending, since a slip won't be forgiving. This isn't just a hiking line; it's a working ghatvaat connecting Asanwadi to Sededand below, which is why a trail still exists here at all.

At the bottom, the landscape opens into a wide riverbed. The trail quietly contours south along the base of the catchment to Kondiwadi — not a typical village; a few large houses spaced far apart, with little visible movement.

From Kondiwadi there are two ways back up to the plateau: Gadhavlot and Avli Ghat, which runs parallel to it (see Side Trails below). Gadhavlot fits this route better since it connects directly to Hirdiwadi. From around 100 m, the trail climbs almost 500 m to the plateau.

Locals will tell you very few people use this trail now, but it still exists. The initial section is faint — stay sharp on direction. After a point, ribbons appear tied along the route, and from there it's a matter of moving ribbon to ribbon. Past roughly the 250 m contour, the trail becomes clear and continuous through to Hirdiwadi. The terrain is mostly open forest, transitioning to open scrub near the top, which makes navigation easier.

At Hirdiwadi, the trail joins a wide, well-defined path that connects to the Andarban route coming from the Tamhini side — well-used and easy to follow. From here it's a straightforward walk south to Bhira Dam, a relaxed stretch compared to what came before.

On the far side is a small shopping complex — one of the best refuel points on this stage, with better variety than even bigger villages like Patnus further ahead. Worth a proper break and stocking up here.

From there, follow the road to a fork, then take a left toward Katkarwadi on a mix of road and trail.

South of Katkarwadi, the terrain flattens out completely, removing any elevation-based reference. You can't tell where a trail is heading just by reading the land — multiple offshoots and faint paths offer no clear visual guidance.

Most hikers make the mistake of expecting the terrain to guide them here — it won't. What's needed instead is precision in movement: sticking to a mapped line and constantly validating direction rather than relying on instinct.

Bedgaon stands out — large, spacious houses built in a Konkani style, distinct from surrounding settlements. A good place to pause and refill water, since it runs scarce again from here onward (no designated seasonal source — plan conservatively).

The trail contours northeast to a dry riverbed, follows it briefly, then climbs steadily 400–450 m via Saat Payari Ghat — named for a waterfall that cascades in seven steps during monsoon (dry and invisible outside the rains, though the massive rock overhangs hint at how dramatic it gets). Navigation starts uncertain but improves — orange ribbons tied to trees are the main guide, through open forest, occasional riverbed crossings, loose rock, and grass patches. Not technical, but it demands attention; missing a ribbon here can push you off route.

Higher up, the landscape opens into scrub with tall grass (especially in winter), the trail thinning in sections, before reaching Adharwadi — a good rest point with a temple for shelter and small food options nearby.

A short road walk from Adharwadi leads to the base of the next climb near Vinzai Mata Mandir. From there, the trail climbs to a saddle and enters one of the most beautiful stretches on this stage — 3 km of wide, well-maintained, pristine forest. A hidden shrine sits just off the trail. The isolation here is real, and the hiking feels effortless.

The forest opens slightly at one point — signs of wildlife activity are possible in this terrain (a fresh barking-deer kill, likely by a leopard, was noted here on one pass). The stage ends at Tamhini village.