Trekking to Dudhsagar waterfalls during monsoon was on my
list of trekking from quite a long time and could realize it in the last week.
Searching a lot on internet made plan and started from Hyderabad through direct
train planning to get down at Castle Rock railway station. In the joueny while
enquiring about trekking to Dudhsagar an employee of Indian railways suggested
train stops at Dudhsagar station also why don’t you get down there?
on the way to visit water fall from Dudh Sagar station
I read a lot on trekking fourteen kilometers from blogs but
I felt it may be monotous walk on railway track. Keeping that in mind I got
down at Caranzol railway station where train stops for a minute or two.
Caranzol is seven kilometers from Dudhsagar station after the Castle Rock
station. We started our trek at 31/900 and completed at 38/900 from Caranzol to
Dudhsagar.
Railway milestone at Caranzol
Railway milestone at Dudhsagar
Started trekking on railway track, crossed tunnels bearing
numbers 5,6,7,8,9,10 and 11. But one can enjoy the beauty of nature. Don’t worry
if the train comes when you are on track or tunnel. Just make way for it and
also you can stand adjacent to wall, don’t be panic. Space is enough to stand
while the train is passing. It took almost two and half hours to reach Dudhsagar railway station.
train engine passing while trekking
tunnel made at the bottom of huge rock
entering small tunnel
small water fall refreshing to see
in middle of trekking
view while trekking on railway track
seen from railway track at Dudhsagar
From Dudhsagar railway station the water falls is around
400 meters and one has to pass small tunnel (No.12) Finally, I could see the magnificent
waterfalls with water flowing like milk.
close view of Dudhsagar water falls
With some courage I went till bottom of waterfalls from not
so smooth and steep route from the route in between tunnel 12 and 13. While going
down it was easy and while climbing up it was difficult as the route is steep.
I could see the beauty of waterfalls with bridge in front of it. This is not
the view one can see in usual blogs in which the train is passing in front of
waterfalls. Water force is high during monsoon and don’t take chance to go to
bottom of falls in this route as it is quite dangerous with slippery rocks.
in between tunnel no. 12 and 13
Dudhsagar view from bottom (this is not the popular view seen on websites and blogs)
first glimpse of waterfall after crossing tunnel 12 and 13 before the full view
Popular full view of Dudhsagar waterfall, to get this move a half kilometer or so from Dudhsagar waterfall towards Kulem crossing tunnels 12 & 13
Nothing is available to eat around waterfalls except a man
selling low quality biscuits and snacks at an higher price. It was quite late
and we were planning to go to Kulem as there is no electricity or place to stay
at Dudh Sagar station.
Dilip cafe and Boarding at Castle Rock
We couldn't get any trains towards Kulem but many
suggested to take train towards Castle Rock station as trains are not there
towards Kulem and one has to request railway engine drivers or guard man of
goods train to drop till Kulem station.
a small place to sit at Dudu Sagar station
visitors on goods train requesting guards
We reached Castle Rock and came to know
that nothing is there to stay except PWD guest house which may or may not give
accommodation to visitors. Just on the other side of Castle Rock station small
market is there and food is available. We could eat excellent vegetarian food
at Dilip Cafe and boarding. It will be open till 10:00 PM. We stayed at Castle
Rock station waiting hall for that night. It is quite clean but toilets are not
so clean and often railway engines stop near the waiting hall making huge
sound.
Trekking routes to Dudhsagar waterfalls:
Route 1: from castle rock via Caranzol
Castle rock railway station to Dudhsagar railway station is
fourteen kilometer and in between caranzol station is present. At caranzol
station the extra engines attached at the back side of train to push the train uphill
from kulem will be detached. One can walk fourteen kilometers from castle rock
or seven kilometers from Caranzol. Both routes have beautiful scenery on right
side.
I suggest you to walk from Caranzol, in case you want to
trek. Walking on railway track is not so easy as it is thought of during
monsoon.
Route 2: from Kulem to Dudhsagar
Kulem to Dudh Sagar is almost ten kilometers and in between
Sonalium station is there. At Kulem the extra engines are attached to push the
train uphill till caranzol.
If you are taking this route, you can view the magnificent
view of waterfalls with railway track in front of it. In case you are in time,
you can view the train passing in front of waterfalls. This route is also equally scenic and one can enjoy.
Route 3:
This route is from Kulem and closed during Monsoon and can
be reached to bottom of waterfalls through Jeep or pillion ride on pilot (pilot
means a bike rider dropping you to your destination charging money. It is
common in Goa.) Many will take this route in summer to reach a small villa and
Dudhsagar baba temple. But cannot cross the water stream during monsoon so this
route will be closed.
Must carry things:
1) Water proof bag or at least cover to keep your belongings
safely from rain in-case you wish to drench in rain.
2) Rain coat.
3) Good quality Torch as lights are not there in Tunnels and it
is must.
4) Sleeping bags in case you are not able to board train and
need to stay at Dudh Sagar station.
Snacks or food to eat.
5) Most importantly the train ticket as Dudhsagar railway
station doesn't issue any tickets. Take ticket beforehand either from Kulem or Castle
Rock or Hubli station. At Hubli station trains usually stops for few minute so
try to take tickets there. Don’t board trains without ticket as ticket checking
inspector will be roaming here and there to catch hold and extort money as much
as possible. Try to get into general compartment with ticket.
My Suggestion to trek this waterfall:
Get down at Dudhsagar station as all trains stop for a
minute or two while going towards Kulem (or Goa) Visit Waterfalls, enjoy the
view and if flow is less visit till bottom of falls with care. Start trekking
towards Kulem, it is magnificent and one can witness the popular view of Dudhsagar with railway track in front of it. Stay at Kulem as forest guest house
and local guest house are available and even you can sleep at waiting hall.
There won’t be problem for food compared to Dudhsagar and Castle Rock as there is one chinese restaurant and an other udupi hotel. Visit
Tambdi Surla and Bondla National park both are nearby. Take trains next day
early morning from Kulem by Amaravathi express or any other.
If you are not interested in railway track trek, reach early to Dudhsagar, enjoy till evening and get back by evening either to Londa junction or Hubli.
