Bhimashankar

There are two routes from Khandas to Bhimashankar. Both these routes meet at a plateau about 400m high, where a village called Koli village is situated. From the village, by the side of a prominent mango tree, a steep track climbs up the massif of Bhimashankar. It leads to the reserve forest near the top. The track flattens out at the forest and cuts through it for about 4km and finally, starts climbing again to reach onto a road (2km). This road is the Pune-Bhimashankar road and the temple is nearby. One can also climb on to Nagphani from here.
The first route from Khandas to Koli village follows a tar road for 2km and then starts climbing up along a small spur. It is longer but easier than the second route. The first route goes through a thick forest and leads onto the plateau of Koli village near a Ganpati temple. Traversing further for about 3km leads onto Koli village.
The second route is shorter but much steeper and climbs straight to Koli village. It leads from Khandas and soon starts climbing up steeply along rocky boulders. At three places, ladders are kept to help climb these boulders. There is a exposed move just after climbing the first ladder. To negotiate it one has to look out for two good hand holds and, holding onto them, stretch the legs apart to cross from one side to the other. Also one has to be careful while climbing along this route, especially near the ladders since, at times, there is very little space to stand, and the area might be exposed. This route might be a bit tricky in the monsoons, but it is much more fun than the other route, though not much quicker in terms of time. Some pictures of Bhimashankar are to be found here.