Needles Hole, Kates Point & Echo Point

Towards the north on Panchgani road at about 4 km is the Kates Point.  On the right side of Kates point is the needles hole.  This is a peak with a giant hole which looks like a hole in the needle.  This point has been named in memory of Sir John Malcolm’s daughter – Kate.  From this point one can view the Krishna Valley, Balkavadi Dam, Kamalgad, Pandavgad.  Next  to Kates point is the Echo Point.

Kate's Point

Kate's Point, unlike all the others, affords a view to the Deccan side. The hills here have less variety and grandeur. But the valley of the Krishna has beauties of its own in a winding river and patches of cultivation and deep waters of Dhom Dam. Kamalgad, Panduagad and Mandhardev, three fine heights, are prominent objects in the landscape. Wai unfortunately is shut out from view by a shoulder  of the hill called Tai Ghat. The road to the point has been made easily passable for light carriages. It turns off from the Poona high road about a mile and a half east of the lake and from here it is another mile and a half to the point. It is a spur jutting out into the Krishna valley. At the extremity is a huge piece of rock a hundred feet high which appears to have become detached from the main scrap. A few smaller boulders wedged between this rock and the face of the cliff form a connecting link not more than six feet wide requiring steadiness to cross. The rock and scarp with the connecting boulders form curious natural arch. The arch is known as the Kate's Point Needle. The road of Kate's Point forms part of the old path to Malcom Peth known as General Phayre's road. It follows the northern slope of Panchgani from the village of Dahiyat and emerges on the plateau about a mile east of Kate's Point. This path was at no time made passable for wheels.