Ambewadi to Samrad

The trail runs flat at the start and slowly approaches the AMK (Alang–Madan–Kulang) massif. Since this is a popular trekking area, the trail is well-paved and physically marked with arrows on rocks — soft, palpable ground, mostly gradual. It contours along a gully and through open forest to the base of Alang Fort.

At the base, a rock face rises ahead, with large rock-cut steps built into it — you'll need the four-point technique to climb these. Beyond that is a vertical rock wall: the technical section of Alang Fort. Of the three forts on this stage, Alang and Madan both have a vertical-wall section requiring a rope, harness and anchor to summit directly. Most Ambewadi locals work as guides and can be hired for these technical sections — but the Epic Sahyadri Trail is designed to stay a hiking route, so this technical line is not part of the EST.

There is a non-technical way to reach Alang's top — a separate approach from the south, covered later in this stage as an out-and-back. For now, the EST contours at the base of Alang toward Madan Fort.

East of Madan Fort is a saddle — Madan Khind — from which the EST route descends south.

From the saddle, the trail initially sticks to a thin gully trail, then contours onto the mountain slope and rock slab. A small balcony trail here has rolling stones and scree — be careful. After that, the trail descends steeply down a rock face, with small rock-cut steps, back to the base of the big rock where the forest trail begins.

This section is well-paved too, since it's used by locals from Samrad (south of the whole AMK range) to access the mountains. At the base — close to 1,100 m — you reach the first-level padar (plateau), and the trail keeps contouring south from here.

Look for a trail split marked by cairns, going left — this is the start of the Alang Fort out-and-back. The trail climbs gradually, then, closer to the rock face, you'll see a couple of large iron ladders, visible from a distance. A series of ladders and a balcony trail with an iron railing (to arrest slips and falls) leads to the top.

This route is long because it contours around the mountain rather than climbing directly, but it requires no technical support, and sees almost zero crowd.

The top of the fort is a large plateau, with two caves suitable for staying (11 water cisterns in total), building ruins scattered across the fort, and a small temple.

Once the Alang out-and-back is done, the trail continues south along the first plateau level, then descends via a ridgeline approach to roughly 800 m.

From here the route switches to the next ridgeline — just west of Alang, the southern extension of the Kulang plateau. This section is called Parvyachi Daar.

The climb up Parvyachi Daar gains about 200 m, with the initial section running through scree and rolling stones with some exposure — take care here. After the climb, a couple of kilometres of contouring lead to the northern side of the AMK range. (This means the EST crosses the AMK range twice — once north-to-south via the Alang/Madan side, and now south-to-north via Parvyachi Daar.)

The rest of this stretch runs through open forest, with the Konkan region visible to the west the whole way — a long contouring trail. Water becomes available again where the trail takes a sharp turn from north to west. From there, stick to the trail as it circumnavigates the Kulang plateau, bringing you to its northern side.

A steep approach leads to the top of Kulang Fort — the whole section up to this point runs through forest trail, but you're again at the base of a rock face here, with a series of very steep rock-cut steps requiring the four-point technique. No technical sections on Kulang — it's a trekking fort, no ropes required, just numerous rock-cut steps to the top.

Through the entrance at the top, to the right, are 2–3 small caves — the middle one is the largest, with two rooms, and all are suitable for staying overnight. Nearby are 2–3 water tanks, one of which has potable water.

Descend Kulang the same way you came up. The exposure on the rock-cut steps is going to be real, so if you have acrophobia this will be a slow descent. At the base, the route continues north toward the settlement of Kurungwadi. The large, flat plateau between Kulang Fort and Kurungwadi has multiple trails used by locals, mainly for commuting and livestock grazing.

From Kurungwadi, a trail leads to Jamunde — no longer a village in the traditional sense, but a township of resorts and private properties.

At Jamunde, the route picks up a ghatvaat called Hirdyachi Daar, connecting Jamunde (Desh) to Ladhewadi (Konkan). This is a less-frequented, off-beat route, though it involves no bushwhacking.

The trail initially descends into a gully full of rocks and boulders, then switches from the gully to a ridgeline via a contouring trail. After losing about 300 m of elevation, the rest of the trail runs through open scrub to Ladhewadi village. There are no springs on this stretch, from Jamunde all the way to Ladhewadi.

From Ladhewadi, walk about 500 m on the road to a trail split heading back up to Desh. The trail runs mostly southeast; both Ladhewadi and Kalbonda villagers use it to reach the plateau, and its key landmark is Ghatan Devi Mandir, right on the crestline.

The trail first crosses open scrub and drops into a valley with reliable water — even in summer. From there, it continues through open scrub, passing the remnants of old, no-longer-functional shepherd huts. After crossing a dry water gully, the climb to Ghatan Devi Mandir begins — well-laid, soft ground, no technical sections, through a stretch of beautiful forest. Just before reaching Desh, cross one boulder-filled gully, then arrive at the crestline and the temple itself.

A tourist / rain shelter is being built here, and the temple can also double as one. This is also a roadhead — you'll likely see tourist vehicles parked here, using the Mandir as a viewpoint.

From the Mandir, the EST heads east toward Samrad, passing the village of Ghatgar en route. Most of this leg is on the road, though there's also a trail split through farmland and a small forest patch, over a small saddle, all the way into Samrad — the end of this stage, and the starting point of the next.