Shirgaon to Kudali Khurd

From Shirgaon, the trail descends to the base and crosses a small stream over a bridge — this stream is actually the backwater of the Nira Deogar reservoir. From there, a ridgeline climb carries you all the way to the top of Mohangad fort (2.5 km · +450 m): a proper climb from the very start.

At the 1,000 m contour, a small shrine to Janani Mata marks a short out-and-back (under 100 m of additional climbing) to a watchtower with its own shrine — a reasonable rain shelter if the weather turns, and a good spot to pause with views in every direction. The trail then returns to the 1,020 m contour.

The trail contours along Mohangad's north face. About 300 m along, the trail splits — one branch continues, the other drops south at the same 1,020 m level. Take the southern branch, toward Mohangad's southern face.

Once on the southern-face ridgeline, the descent to Gothvali begins — the Chorkhana route (<2.5 km · −750 m, crest at 950 m to village at 230 m). Finding the trailhead along the ridgeline can be tricky, but once on it: steep at first, karvi overshadowing the trail, loose stones and scree underfoot throughout. As it opens into brown grass and wider views, the ground stays loose wherever tree cover breaks — this is a slip-prone section, especially in the upper third.

**There are no water sources anywhere from Shirgaon to Gothvali via Mohangad — carry 2–3 litres before leaving Shirgaon.**

From Gothvali, the trail heads south to Kharapwadi, then crosses an unnamed saddle down to Vadghar Budruk, where you cross a dry river bed. This stretch runs through open forest on a well-used, prominent trail — regularly walked, easy and intuitive to follow.

After crossing the river bed and hitting the road, follow it for just under 3 km to Kamthe.

From Kamthe begins this stage's real crux — the climb to Aswal Khind (Bear Pass; Aswal is Marathi for bear, Khind for pass), under 5 km with 645 m of gain. The distance and gain sound manageable on paper; the terrain is more demanding than the numbers suggest.

The trail starts by contouring through open forest, crosses into a side gully, picks up a ridgeline approach, briefly opens up, then transitions to the mountain's north face, with a side valley opening to the left near the end.

Near the 760 m contour, where the gully ends, the trail turns north — this is a critical moment. Looking east here shows cliffs at a dead end; the correct direction is north. Expect dozens of old and new ribbons at this point — genuinely confusing in number rather than helpful. Keep your directional sense clear and keep reading the ground; as you head north correctly, ribbon density thins out as the line cleans up. Follow that thinning to break through into the saddle.

Reading terrain and choosing which source to trust — trail, ribbons, riverbed, gradient, contour — when they all disagree is the core judgment call this stage asks for, and it's exactly the kind of decision-making and risk assessment taught in the HikeX Hiking Field Course.

Aswal Khind itself sits in dense forest, home to some unusual insects and reptiles — make your presence felt as you move through, don't move silently. This pass has its share of wildlife encounters after dark.

The north-facing descent is a different experience entirely — hiker-friendly, readable, with trustworthy ribbons and cairns even though it stays dense. The thick forest section is about 1.5 km, losing under 200 m gradually.

The trees then open into farmland, and the stage ends shortly after at Kudali Khurd.