Kudali Khurd to Jambhali

Stage 35 through 50 of the EST explores three of the great plateaus of this range — Raireshwar, then Koleshwar, then Mahabaleshwar. Each is its own world. This is the first of the three.

The first 2 km out of Kudali Khurd are on road, then a contouring trail picks up and carries the route across to Gudhe.

From Gudhe, a trail runs along a riverbed down to Nivangan. Kudali Khurd, Gudhe, and Nivangan sit close together and are connected by road, but Dhangar communities still move between them on foot, on the same trails that have always existed — the road and the trail run parallel, and this route keeps you on the older line.

At Nivangan you reach the northwest face of the Raireshwar plateau. A ridgeline trail begins the climb here — about 2.5 km with 550 m of gain — to Dhanivali, a settlement of fewer than ten houses with no road access, sitting right on the edge of the plateau. Raireshwar is gaining popularity, and Dhanivali has started noticing — some households have already converted into homestays, with more likely in the coming years. It's a good place to stay.

The climb is mostly open ridgeline, with some dense, twisting sections near the top. Just before the final push into Dhanivali, the approach opens up into multiple lines: straight up involves a short rock climb; left or right both bring you onto the plateau above the settlement via traversing — easier options if you've got a full pack and want to keep your hands free.

Dhanivali is also one of the better camping spots on this stage — HikeX's week-long Hiking Field Course groups have camped on this ridgeline more than once.

The trail moves south through open forest, gaining 150 m over 1.5 km, to Malwadi at a higher contour.

From Malwadi, the trail continues east, nearly flat — 50 m of gain over 2.5 km — to the main settlement of Raireshwar, at the highest point of the plateau.

Raireshwar is home to the Jangam community — ardent devotees of Lord Shiva who serve as priests across Maharashtra on auspicious occasions. They're strictly vegetarian, so unlike most rural Sahyadri settlements, you won't see hens, sheep, or goats anywhere on the plateau.

Supplies are limited to one small kirana shop — biscuits, chips, basic snacks, nothing more. Accommodation is genuinely well set up, though: electricity, water for washing and laundry, and several houses that take in hikers (some fitting 15–20 people). If you're carrying a tent, there are multiple good campsites, and locals also rent out tents and sleeping gear if you didn't bring your own.

From Raireshwar, the trail moves east to the Kenjalgad watchtower — about 4.5 km along a ridgeline with around 200 m of combined gain and loss. The approach works as a circuit: walk the flat plateau, descend via a large iron ladder to the roadhead parking area, walk 200 m on the road, then take a ridgeline approach to Kenjalgad's west-facing rock face.

From there, a contouring trail runs the north face — thin, a little exposed, some loose material underfoot; poles help if you're comfortable on exposed terrain. This brings you around to the east face, where a series of large rock-cut steps leads to the top of the fort.

At the summit: a recently built temple, and a wide open west-facing edge with sweeping views — the Dhom reservoir, the Jambhali reservoir, and the southeastern flanks of the Raireshwar plateau. There's also an old stone grain-grinder here — a large circular stone structure a bull would once have been walked around to grind grain. These turn up at old fort and village sites across the Sahyadris, but it's still striking to find one at this elevation.

Descend back down the rock-cut steps, then take a north-facing descent (instead of returning west) to Pakirewadi at the base. From there, a road brings you back to the Raireshwar plateau, with occasional trail shortcuts off the tarmac if you keep an eye out for them.

The EST also explores Raireshwar's northern face. Descend from the plateau to Dharambe via Sidhichi Waat — first through farmlands, opening into a view of the Niradeogar reservoir, then down a single iron ladder onto an open ridgeline that carries you the rest of the way to Dharambe.

From Dharambe, the trail moves west to Kankwadi, then a combination of ridgeline and contouring trail brings you to Dhanivali (lower) — a different settlement from the upper hamlet, sitting at around 900 m versus 1300 m. The Gayadhara trail connects the two, completing a full loop around Raireshwar's northern face.

This trail network, between Dharambe and Upper Dhanivali, is in good condition — locals still use it almost daily, a mix of open forest and open scrub throughout.

Once back at Upper Dhanivali, this out-and-back to Nakhinda — the westernmost face of Raireshwar — is strongly worth doing before leaving the plateau. It's 7 km out, gaining about 200 m, with no settlements on the way: just plateau wilderness, open scrub giving way to dense forest, ending at Nakhinda peak, which looks directly over the Aswal Khind pass crossed in the previous stage. The return leg is 8.5 km with minimal elevation change.

Carry at least 3 litres of water and set aside half a day for the full ~15 km round trip.

You'll likely pass a small shrine with an iron bell somewhere along the way — used for spiritual visits, grazing, and firewood collection. The trail sees light but real local use; you may cross paths with a shepherd doing the same out-and-back.

From Raireshwar, the trail descends south to Jambhali via Nishnichi Waat — 3.5 km, dropping 550 m. The start on the plateau is thin and flat, then a short rock-climbing section requires four-point contact to get down. After that, the trail moves from open scrub into open forest, with karvi for support — steep at first, then gradually easing as the ridgeline flattens toward Jambhali, where this stage ends.