dudhsagar falls trek trekking In india

Dudhsagar Falls Trek

Goa-Karnataka bound tourists make sure to access the beautiful Dudhsagar Falls located on the interstate border upon entering the Bhagwan Mahavir National Park. Featured widely in movies and galleried photography, Dudhsagar is one of India’s tallest and most marvelous falls embellishing the Western Ghats hills south of the border. Even after the tourist place came under an Indian Railways imposed ban in the recent times, the trek to the waterfall has still been expressly sought by tourists. The cascading waters, foamy and white as frothing milk, has brought the waterfalls its name, however, the trek doesn’t end on reaching the majestic galore of streaming waters from up high. Castle Rock-- located further ahead is a town in the hills looking like it has come straight out of story books. Previously before the ban, a narrow gage railway line connected the falls and the town with nearby railheads, however, now the trekking scene here has changed quite a bit. Today, most trekkers access the falls by taking a jeep safari. The alternative is trekking along the railways tracks independently, especially in the monsoon when the surrounding forests are extra dreamy!

What Is Dudhsagar Falls Trek?

The four-tier thundering waterfall Dudhsagar has an interesting interstate locational attraction. The mountains from which the gushing waters emerge are in Karnataka, whereas the forest that is irrigated with the outflow is the wilderness of Goa. The base of the falls encompasses the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary- home to the tribal nomadic buffalo herding Dhangar people and a treasure of flora and fauna. Brace yourself on this trek to see more than common langur and gaur, who knows from where a Malabar giant squirrel or porcupine crosses your path! Exquisite avifaunas too are there on this trek to make your journey full of little wonders. Strap your big zooming cameras on if you really want to take home the best of wildlife here and our guides will provide you with expert know-how of the jungle. Courtesy to super crowd pulling Indian cinema - weekenders from Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore flock to the waterfall irrespective of the season. While trekkers love it to walk on the rail tracks on a misty day, a word of warning needs your heed. Don’t put on headphones blaring loud music, and remain mindful all times of the rail track walk to hear the sound of approaching trains. A more responsible way to make this trek would be to walk on the sides of the track instead of on the tracks!

Why Should We Go For Dudhsagar Falls Trek?

• A convenient mountain and forest getaway on your long weekend trip to the beaches of Goa.
• A different taste of trek, walking on the rail tracks on a mist filled rainy day.
• A popular choice for rain trek in the Western Ghats.
• The magnificent white frothing beauty that is the four-storey Dudhsagar waterfall. ‘Dudh’ meaning white as milk and ‘sagar’ meaning ocean literally!
• Exploring the mixed deciduous wilderness of typical Western Ghats forests on this lovely stretch through the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Spotting exquisite fauna and avifauna deep in the lovely forests that’s covered partially on this trek.
• Convenience of access from Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore on weekends.

How High Is the Dudhsagar Falls Trek?

The Dudhsagar Waterfall cascades from a height of 1049 ft. There are 4-5 subsequent drops from that height. The trek takes place on level ground with not too much on any incline.

When to Visit?

You get a wide window for visiting the waterfall at its prime. The best time begins from October to May. While it rains till September, the falls brims with abundant waters from October.
If you are sure of your rain gear, feel free to make that visit during July to September as well.

How to Reach?

By Air: Dabolim Airport in Goa is the international airport located closest to the trek route of Dudhsagar. You can arrange for transport from Dabolim to Kulem- from where the trek starts.
By Rail: Madgaon railway station, 45 km away from Kulem is the nearest railhead the most conveniently accessed one for Dudhsagar trek.
By Road: Kulem is connected by national highway 48 with Bangalore, which is a beautiful route moving through the Mollem National Park.

Are There Any Shops Available On the Dudhsagar Falls Trek?
It’s hard to find big stores on the Dudhsagar trek, though the area is well within inhabitable locality. If you are coming from Goa, conclude all your purchases by reaching Kulem.

What to Pack for Dudhsagar Falls Trek?

• Large or medium size backpack, and a duffle side bag for extras
• Water bottle
• Sun hat
• Warm cap
• Base layers
• Fleece jacket
• Outer jacket
• Rain jacket (essential for the monsoon months)
• Sturdy trekking shoes and a pair of floaters
• Flashlight
• Trekking pants, several pairs
• UV-protection glasses
• Thermal socks

Is There Any Possibility Of Altitude Sickness?
Altitude sickness can be ruled out safely on a trek in the Western Ghats, however, don’t make any compromise on the fitness score.

How Busy is the Dudhsagar Falls Trek?

Expect dudhsagar trek to remain fairly trafficked all times of the year, courtesy the proximity of the trek to cities like Pune, Bangalore, and Mumbai and the year-long favorable weather of the place.