Khireshwar to Bhoirwadi

The first 2 km out of Khireshwar are flat, then a well-paved path climbs north to the saddle of Tolar Khind. From there the trail continues north, contouring around the west side of Gadvyacha Dongar on a wide, broad, well-used path, then begins climbing toward the fort of Bhairavgad.

Bhairavgad — always with its village. There are many forts called Bhairavgad across the Sahyadri, so each takes the name of its base village as a suffix. This one is Bhairavgad (Kothale).

Open scrub gives way to open forest, then a series of iron ladders runs all the way to the top of Bhairavgad. Expect langurs in the forest patch — they will not bother you. On top there is a small shrine and a tourist shelter that makes a good rain shelter.

Climbing Bhairavgad from the east brings you out on top of Gadvyacha Dongar — the same mountain you rounded below after Tolar Khind.

Come back down the first set of iron ladders, where there is a rock-cut cave with potable water. You do not descend further. From the cave, take the contouring trail — staying high rather than dropping to the base of the fort — south along the main ridgeline to the saddle of Vanar Khind.

From Vanar Khind the line curves east toward the green forests of Kandaka Dongar. The run from the cave to here is roughly 6–7 km with about 500 m of gain.

On Kandaka Dongar the EST holds the north face at around 1,300 m without going to the summit. There are many trails up here; the route contours a 1 km stretch of dense, pristine forest in very good condition.

Route-finding is easy once you are on the forest line. It is the open scrub that is tricky thanks to the multiple offshoots. There is a water spring in the open scrub early on. The spring on Kunjargad cistern is a seasonal source, so better fill up at least 3 litres from this spring itself.

Past the forest, you reach an unnamed saddle at ~1,300 m and the trail switches to the south face. Villages appear below on the descent south — this is the valley of Phopsonde. The trail holds its contour to the base of Kunjargad.

From the base, you can see the fort walls. A straight ridgeline approach climbs from ~1,200 m up ~200 m more to the fort at ~1,400 m. Kunjargad reads like a watchtower.

The final ascent has a rock wall with rock-cut steps. The fort wall is broken, but the climb to the high point is safe enough. Up top: an old shrine and a large water cistern.

Back on the contouring trail at ~1,300 m, cross an unnamed saddle. The trail bends north to climb onto Balubhai Dongar — a separate plateau, big and flat, about 2 km long, with a single very old shrine on top (volcanic rock with sindoor). You will most likely find Dhangars grazing cattle here.

This is open scrub with tall grass and clear sightlines, trees only in the distance.

After about 2 km southeast, a ridgeline drops you toward the highway at ~1,300 m. At the base, near the road, is the Ranubai Mata Mandir — a small temple with a tourist rain shelter beside it.

Cross the road quickly, then a long 3 km contouring trail leads to Bardu Mahadev Mandir. No water on it, but it runs under good canopy and stays shaded — it is east-facing, so only early-morning hikers miss the shade. Just before the temple, the forest opens to scrub with cattle grazing.

Bardu Mahadev Mandir is a large white temple, well known locally and visible from a great distance — you first see it from near Kunjargad, and you will keep seeing it from far off in later stages.

A thin trail descends south along a ridgeline. The initial section is steep but in good condition; then hold the flattened nose of the main ridge and keep south. The trail loses a lot of height, from ~1,400 m down to ~900 m, into the Mandvi river basin.

Near the basin there are many settlements. The trail passes east of Jambhulshi with houses right alongside — refill water here. Then through farmland and small settlements it begins to climb. The Mandvi is dry enough to cross on foot — no bridge needed — and you switch to the right bank.

After about 200 m of climbing, you reach the isolated dwelling of Khoparmandwa, back on the Sahyadri crest line — the same crest you were on at Vanar Khind.

From the crest, the Pimpalgaon Joga reservoir opens out ahead. The well-made Khandichi Vaat takes you down toward it.

It starts with a gully section, then switches to a wide, open grass-topped ridgeline, and finishes in open forest with very big trees and clean ground underfoot. Calling network returns as you descend.

At the roadhead for Pimpalgaon Joga village is the Kalmaja Aai Mandir. From the village, a quick 4 km walk reaches Bhoirwadi, the last village of the stage.