Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Water Falls Near Belgaum

Here's a blog on some of the waterfalls I visited recently near Belgaum...One thing I would admit at the beginning of the blog..that as it is water scarcity this year the water falls are not that attractive but Dudhsagar is Dudhsagar and you can not beat it. I'm not sure how I missed on visiting Dudhsagar when I grew up near Belgaum. All my school and college days have been in Belgaum..but I could not visit Dudhsagar which I think came in as surprise when I visited it this time....Let me start with the journey of the falls now....

Gokak Falls

This water falls is approx. 60KM(NE) from Belgaum. Easily accessible by bus,train, private vehicle etc. This falls is over the river Ghatprabha. There is very nice hanging bridge. As you can see from pictures the water scarcity is visible. When we used to visit this falls during my college days, the water used to be just 1 feet below the bridge...I did not capture pictures at that time :-(...
Food: There are few resorts on the way to Gokak Falls from Gokak. You can get good food.
Best Time to Visit: July- Sept
Gokak Falls in pictures
Gokak Falls


Hanging Bridge

Gokak Falls closer view

Gokak Falls from Hanging Bridge

Gokak Falls from Hanging Bridge


Do not miss: Gokak is famous for dessert called Kardant.If you have sweet teeth you should try this. 

Godchanmalki Falls

This is nearly approx. 15 KM south of Gokak falls. This falls is on river Markendeya.Easily accissible by private vehicles.  Vehicle access is not available beyond some specific point. One needs to walk for nearly 2-3 km before reaching the falls.You can find plenty of small falls if you want to get wet near this place.
Best Time to Visit: July- Sept
Godchanmalki Falls in pictures


Godchanmalki Falls I

Godchanmalki Falls II
On our way back we visited back water of Hidkal Dam. It is really cool place.



Backwater of Hidkal Dam


Dudhsagar Falls
This is one of the toughest falls to reach and adventures folks will love to visit this. This falls is on Mandavi river.

Best times to visit: July to Sept.
This water falls is 95KM South West of Belgaum

Reaching to Dudhsagar:
By Railways: Ernakulam Express which runs from Pune to Ernakulam on Saturday stops at Dudhsagar station (reaches Dudhsagar by 11.15 am on Sunday). Goa Express reaches Dudhsagar by 4.00 am.
Travel Tip: If you are travelling from Belgaum...you can get a ticket from TC office instead of standing in queue. The Pune- Ernakulan train leaves Belgaum at 7.50 am. Please reach to station by 6.45 am.
For return journey to Castle Rock or Belgaum: Goa express stops at Dudhsagar @5.15 pm.
Travel Tip: There are lot of goods trains which run during the day to reach CastleRock.
By Road: One can not reach Dudhsagar by any vehicle. Nearest place called Castle Rock is nearly 23KM from Dudhsagar. Once you reach Castlerock you can trek to Dudhsagar falls.
For the trekkers: Reach Castle Rock by train or vehicle. One can trek alongside Railway track. It is nearly 23 KM track and has tunnels (nearly 12-15).
Must have for Trekkers: Torch,Water, Food (you can not get anything to eat in Castle Rock or Dudhsagar except for some snacks.), Stick to walk. Watch out for trains.

We were lucky to have travelled through a goods train while coming back from Dudhsagar to CastleRock. The journey I'll remember forever.

One has to walk 2 km from Dudhsagar station to reach the falls alongside Railway Track.. 

Dudhsagar Falls in pictures

Where is water... it's Milk all the way.....Dudhsagar is real perfect name for this.
Dudhsagar Falls

Dudhsagar Falls


Dudhsagar Falls


Tunnel from Dudhsagar Station to Falls


View from Goods Train


View from Goods train

I really had great fun visiting these falls. Before you visit ...please make sure you are following the weather man for the rain. :-)