Kalsubai, Mountain summit in Ahmednagar district, India.
Kalsubai rises 1,646 meters (5,400 feet) above sea level as the highest point in the western mountain range and shows steep sections of dark basalt rock. Steel railings and chains run along exposed passages and help with the climb through rocky sections.
The summit takes its name from a tribal sister from the region whose memory was preserved in oral stories. Shepherds and gatherers used the mountain paths for centuries before the area became part of a protected wildlife reserve.
Visitors light lamps and leave small offerings at a shrine dedicated to a local saint on the summit. The trail still shows traces of old steps carved into rock by villagers.
The round trip starts in Bari village and covers 13.2 kilometers (8.2 miles), with the climb typically taking five to six hours. Start early in the morning to avoid heat and bring enough water as no sources are available along the way.
After the monsoon, wildflowers bloom along the slopes and cover the laterite rock with bright colors. The protected area also holds high-altitude forests where rare bird species nest.
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