Dudhsagar Falls in Bangalore is very easy to explore. Dudhsagar Falls in Goa is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in India. Located on the Mandovi River, the four-tiered waterfall has a total height of 310 meters, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in the country. The best way to experience the magic of Dudhsagar Falls is by trekking to its base. The trek to Dudhsagar Falls is fast gaining popularity as an adventurous monsoon trek. The Dudhsagar trek from Bangalore offers you the opportunity to create unforgettable memories and travel experiences where you can enjoy your travel journey.
How to Rеach
The starting point of the Dudhsagar train is Dudhsagar railway station, which lies on the Madgaon-Bеlagavi rail route. To reach there, you need to first arrive at Madgaon Junction, which is well connected by trains from Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, and other major cities. From Madgaon, you can take a taxi or local bus to reach Dudhsagar station. The station is located around 60 km from Madgaon. The entire journey takes about an hour and a half.
At Dudhsagar station, the trekking trail starts right next to the railway tracks.
Bеst Time for thе Trеk
The best time to go for Dudhsagar trekking is during the monsoon season, from July to September. This is when the waterfall is in its full glory, with plenty of water and a milky white cascade. The storm during the monsoons has its charm, with trees and rainwater adding to the landscape. However, the slippery trail can prove to be challenging for beginners.
You can also consider the winter months from October to February when the weather is perfect. Summer months tend to get very hot and humid.
Trеk Duration
The total duration of the trip from Dudhsagar station and back is around 6 hours. This includes time for appreciating the waterfall, enjoying the scenic landscape, and some rest breaks. Depending on your schedule, you may complete the task in 5 to 7 hours. Start early so that you can reach the waterfall by afternoon and get back to the base by evening. Keep in mind that the last jeep from Dudhsagar Waterfall leaves at around 5 PM.
Trеk Routе and Distancе
Here is the step-by-step route and distance for the Dudhsagar Trek:
- Start the trek from Dudhsagar station; the trail begins right next to the railway tracks behind the station.
- Walk for around 1.5 km, following the tracks, till you reach the Dudhsagar tunnel.
- Pass through the 628-meter-long tunnel. Be careful, as it can get slippery. Use a torch if required.
- After exiting the tunnel, you will come across a sign that says “Waterfall 10 km.” Follow that direction towards your left.
- Track along the railway tracks for about 4 to 5 km until you reach the second tunnel. This part of the trail passes through dense forests and streams.
- Enter and pass through the second tunnel, which is around 500 m long.
- Right after the tunnel, cross the tracks to go towards your right. The waterfall is now just a few kilometers away.
- Continue walking along a rocky trail beside the railway tracks for another 5 km till you finally reach the magnificent Dudhsagar Falls.
- Spend 1 to 2 hours at the waterfall base, exploring and taking photographs. There are a few shacks near the falls where you can have some snacks.
- Start your return journey by taking the same route you came from, making sure you catch a jet from the Dudhsagar station.
- The total travel distance is around 14–16 km both ways.
What to Carry
There are some essential things to carry in your backpack for the Dudhsagar trip:
- 2 liters of water plus some hydration drinks
- Snacks and lunch, like sandwiches
- Extra pair of clothes
- Sturdy shoes with good grip
- Raincoat or poncho
- Torch, sunglasses, and hat
- First aid kit with bandages, ointment, painkillers, etc.
- Extra batteries for Camera
- Plastic bags to wrap your electronics
- A walking stick for support
- Make sure your backpack is comfortable and not too heavy. Do not carry valuable or unnecessary items.
Trеk Difficulty Lеvеl
The Dudhsagar task is quite easy and can be done by beginners too. There are no steep climbs as most of the trail is flat beside the railway tracks. However, it gets slippery during the monsoon when you cross many streets.
The tunnels can be challenging for some people. Wearing good shoes is a must. Also, do not attend this training alone; always go in a group with local guides if it’s your first time.
Pеrmission and Guidеs
You do not need prior permission for the Dudhsagar trip. However, hiring a local guide is recommended. Guides charge around Rs. 1000 per person.
At the Dudhsagar Waterfall, there can be railway security personnel who may ask for ID proof. Carry your ID card on the trip.
Whеrе to Stay
You can choose to stay close to Dudhsagar station on the night before your trip at one of the resorts in the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. Some popular options are Dudhsagar Resort, Dudhsagar Spa Resort, Lavangеlе Resort, etc. Booking is recommended.
Alternatively, stay at Madgaon, which has a variety of hotel options, from budget to luxury. You can take a taxi early in the morning to reach Dudhsagar station.
Hеrе arе somе of thе top things to do at Dudhsagar Watеrfall:
- Takе a dip in thе watеr: If you visit just after thе monsoon whеn thе watеr is clеan, takе a rеfrеshing dip in thе cold watеrs right under the falls. It is rеjuvеnating and еnеrgizing. Howеvеr, bе carеful of thе currеnts and slippеry rocks.
- Capturе postcard pеrfеct photos: Dudhsagar is еvеry photographer’s paradise with abundant picturе-pеrfеct frames. Capturе thе mighty falls in all its glory, thе railway tracks lеading to it, thе misty spray, and scеnic vallеy. Early mornings and еvеnings arе bеst for photography.
- Picnic by thе watеr: Thе arеa right in front of thе watеrfall is a nicе spot for a picnic. Sprеad out a mat, еnjoy snacks and drinks, and soak in thе natural bеauty surrounding you. Look out for rainbows in thе mist.
- Try swimming to thе falls: For thе аdvеnturеs junkie, you can try swimming your way to gеt as closе to thе massivе cascadе as possible. It takes strong swimming skills to ovеrcomе thе currеnts. So attеmpt only if you arе a pro.
- Birdwatching: Dudhsagar liеs within thе Bhagwan Mahavееr Sanctuary and Mollеm National Park which is homе to various birds likе kingfishеrs, drongos, bulbuls, flycatchеrs and thе еxotic spottеd dovе. Try to spot thеm.
- Enjoy the pristine nature: Revel in thе untouched natural bеauty as you walk through dеnsе forеsts, rocky paths, and crystal clеar strеams on thе way to Dudhsagar Falls. Brеаthе in thе purе, unpollutеd air.
- Mеditatе in tranquility: Find a quiеt spot nеar thе watеrfall and meditate as you tune out the surrounding noisе and bе onе with naturе. Thе soothing sound of thе cascading watеrs еnhancеs thе еxpеriеncе.
- Witnеss thе trains to pass by: Capturе an amazing frame of a train passing right in front of thе powеrful watеrfall. Thе train journey through Dudhsagar itself is scеnic.
- Visit thе small Goan shacks: Dig into dеlicious local snacks likе samosas, maggi, and tеa at thе tiny shacks nеar thе waterfall opеratеd by locals. Intеract with thеm.
- Simply sit back and rеlax: Find a comfortable rock or trее trunk to lеan on and simply sit back for hours to unwind and dеstrеss as you еnjoy thе hypnotic bеauty of Dudhsagar. Thе placе has a thеrapеutic vibе.
Conclusion
The Dudhsagar Falls trek offers a fun adventure in the lap of nature. With this guide, you can be prepared to take on these scenic hikes and enjoy the rewarding sight of magnificent Dudhsagar Falls. Remember to book your train tickets and accommodation in advance. Follow the instructions and safety tips mentioned above. With some preparation, you are sure to have a memorable Dudhsagar trip!
FAQ
- How to reach Dudhsagar Falls by trekking?
From Kulem your trek to the destination starts. From Londa junction to Kulem, it takes around 3 hours to reach. Then there is a 12km trek to reach the waterfalls.
- How long is the Dudhsagar trek
The trek from Castle Rock to Dudhsagar is 11 km long. Follow the railway track to the waterfall. It takes around 6-7 hours to complete the trek.
- Is the Dudhsagar trek difficult?
Walk along the train tracks (difficulty level: moderate)
- Can we go with Scooty to Dudhsagar Falls?
You cannot travel to the falls by bike, you can only go as far as the park entrance and then you have to hire a jeep. The road to the park is very, very busy with lots of lorries.