Taake Harsh to Dahaliwali

The trail to Sinhasan Dongar is well used — expect to see locals collecting firewood in the early morning. (A single piece of firewood is a *faati*; several tied together for head-carrying, a *sarpan*.) The trail contours the west-facing slopes of Sinhasan Dongar ("throne hill") through good shade, but with blind turns — make your presence felt as you move through here early morning.

The trail opens up at the saddle between Harihar and Sinhasan Dongar, giving a view of Harihar's south-facing rock face — a very different angle from the one most hikers know. From here it contours and connects to a set of eateries on the ridgeline. These open only on weekends, run by villagers from Harshewadi and Nirgudpada, so plan water refills here accordingly if you're walking on a weekday.

The trail contours west across a plateau where tall grass frequently hides the path — look for white arrow markers on stones. The marked route contours the base of Fani Dongar, but on the EST you climb it: a steep ascent with a small rock patch just below the top, on loose soil and rolling stones (poles recommended).

The descent west is the trickiest part of this leg: steep, with rolling stones, scree, and one small rock patch that must be downclimbed. Poles are mandatory here, and this section takes longer than it looks. The trail is thin but visible from the higher ground.

Once off Fani Dongar, hold your orientation west — multiple cattle trails branch north and south here and can pull you off line. The trail joins a road pass/saddle with a small wayside shrine (sindoor-marked rocks); traffic on this road is essentially nil.

From the saddle, the trail climbs gradually through thick forest into open meadows on a ridgeline, reaching the base of Bhaskargad's rock face. Look for white paint arrows on rocks and orange ribbons on tree branches. The trail contours the base of the rock face to a set of rock-cut steps leading to the top — flanked by 10–12 ft gravel walls whose upper ramparts have been heavily demolished, with debris partially burying the steps. The top is a large plateau with stone-cut water cisterns (non-potable).

Exit Bhaskargad via the same rock-cut steps and continue contouring west, over a stretch of huge rocks that must be stepped across (rolled-ankle risk). The trail turns south, contouring the base of Bhaskargad's west face to a large cave — a strong rain shelter and a viable night shelter if needed, with a carved shivling at the base and space for roughly 10 people. Signs of past campfires suggest local use for worship and cooking, and one spot inside drips water reliably.

There is no water on this trail from Taake Harsh onward until Sirsonpada — carry a minimum of 3 litres.

The trail continues south for half a kilometre, then swiftly turns west to descend into the Konkan via a thin ridgeline route called Mulichi Dhar (*dhar* = ridgeline). No water here — ridgelines are watersheds. The hamlet of Sirsonpada sits at the base; refill water here.

The trail turns south to a small, isolated dwelling called Dhangarwadi, just north of the Khoch reservoir. One drinking-water source lies nearby, in a dry riverbed — small but perennial. (If in doubt, ask locals nearby — they'll confirm.)

Two routes climb back to the crestline from here; Bhatkala Dhar is the more commonly used ghaatwaat. The ridgeline approach isn't steep, with one easy rock patch, then contours through Karvi to the saddle between Utwad and Bhaskargad — Khoch Khind.

From Khoch Khind, the trail continues south, passing the Bhaskargad cave again, and descends to the saddle known as Govhkyachi Khand, which connects to the village of Dahalewali — the end of the stage.