Braganza Waterfall!

Funny name for a waterfall, isn't it? Infact its the name given by us to a very small waterfall of height 20ft falling just by the side of the railway track connecting Goa and Karnataka.


Though I dislike trekking on railway track, I was requested to join this trek by those people to whom I could not say no. Did enjoy the waterfall part of the trek. Walking on tracks was as torturous as always.


The railway line was built by a British Officer named Braganza and in recognition of his dedication and awesome engineering skill the ghat is named after him. The station on the Karnataka side is curiously named 'Castlerock'.


There is a small and unofficial story behind this 'Castlerock' name. Two of the first 3 tunnels ( may be 1st and 2nd or 2nd and 3rd or 1st and 3rd : I fail to recall it 100%) towards Goa have an entrance where a 'Castle' like structure has been constructed (same structure exists at exits from these tunnels as well).


And immediately after these 3 tunnels on the valley side of the track a large rock makes up a great sight. The thick forest cover around gives a prominent view to this rock.

After the construction of the railway line, a name had to be given to the station, which the British also planned to use as a stockyard for food items imported from England. There was no previous name for this place nor anybody knew anything about the place. The area was densely forested except the railway line. Hence due to the presence of the 'Castles' and the 'Rock', the name 'Castlerock' was given to this station. And the name just got stuck like a glue!


The revenue office of the British was said to be here at Castlerock. One can still see the remains of 2 huge stockyards by the side of the railway tracks where food and grains were stored by British. Castlerock was also a favourite Tiger hunting spot for the British. It is amazing that the place is still calm and serene. Just the freight trains and the occassional Passenger trains make a noise. Apart from that the place is absolutely quiet like dead!


The water flowing down from Braganza falls is connected via pipeline to couple of drinking water points for the benefit of Gangmen on duty. Surprisingly the waterfall has an arch built infront of it! The arch and the waterfall present a lovely sight if seen from across the railway track.

Train Track Trek

Three years back I had been to this trek on the railway track in the western ghat region of Karnataka. The route was discontinued some 2 decades back owing to gauge conversion. The process took hell of a long time and just got completed couple of years back. Till then the route was a god send gift to nature lovers.


Trekking on this route, with its numerous tunnels and bridges is a great experience. There are couple of waterfalls to rejuvanate trekkers. Caution is the keyword while walking on those bridges. Though trains are running on this route now, trekkers still continue to roam in this place.


The night stay at the station in the middle of the forest was great experience. We stayed in what was an employee quarters. The station was shelter for workers engaged in gauge conversion work.


Personally somehow I do not enjoy the Train Track Treks. Walking on tracks is a torture for me. Just to have a feel of the nature that’s available for free I went on this trek once. Friends have gone 3 more times on this trek, but I did not join them. The view on this route is awesome, if one covers the entire distance.

Trek to a Hill made Famous by Trekkers

Last week been to this place called 9gudda. Gudda in Kannada means Hill and the peak has nine major humps; hence the name - 9gudda.

I had read in many treklogs that the path to this place is mysterious and one is bound to lose way. It is advised by almost all who wrote about their trekking experience to this place that carrying a GPS, Compass and Map is MUST. Without which one is sure to lose his way in forest. And to top it all some mentioned the presence of elephants all along the trek route. The combination of all these factors has made this hill quite famous.


Usually trekkers ascend this hill by one route (which is said to be tough) and descend by another route (which is said to be easy). For me when it comes to trekking to a mountain peak, reaching the peak is of paramount importance than how. I enjoy the stunning view all peaks provide and to enjoy this view I always try to find the easiest way to reach the top of a hill. So when it came to 9gudda, I obviously discarded the ascending route and opted for the other route from where trekkers usually make thier exit from 9gudda.


We were atop the 9gudda in 5 hours. What should have taken us less than 3 hrs took us more than 5 hours. Where the route was piece of cake we messed it up and where we were supposed to mess it up it was piece of cake. As a result there was 2.5 hours of aimless wandering just because we missed a very very easy landmark.


If one is to count the humps on top of the hill they will never sum up to 9. But it is said there are indeed 9 humps. The peaks of Amedikallu and Ettinabhuja (partially) are visible. On other side Deepada Kallu (I hope I am right here) and Jenukallu Gudda make up a good view.


Walking along the ridge from one hump to another should be a pleasant experience. We had a long way to walk back and a bus to catch. So, we stood on top of what is known as the 4th hump, watched the remainig 5 humps from here and hurried back. That was a good decision we took or else we would have missed the bus and a working day at office!


If we had not lost our way we would have had enough time to walk up to the 9th hump as well. But it was not to be. May be next time.

Kumara Parvatha

Kumara Parvata, popularly known among trekkers as KP is the Third tallest peak in Karnataka (based on the height from sea level). Mullayyanagiri and Kuduremukha both in Chikmagalur District take the first 2 spots. About 5 years back I had trekked to Kumara Parvata. It is an imposing peak with thick shola forest cover from all sides.

Kukke Subramanya is a famous pilgrimage place known for the temple of Lord Subramanya. The majestic structure of KP looms large behind the temple at a very far distance. The trek actually starts from a by-lane near the temple itself. After about a kilometer of treading on mud road the path deviates and takes off into forest. From here on its nearly 4 hours uphill walk to a place called Girigadde. This stretch is quite boring, with absolutely no open view. The forest is monotonous and offers no excitement.

About a kilometer before Girigadde, the path breaks free from the forest and makes way into open land. Now with the boring forest behind me, I really started to enjoy the trek from this point onwards. Though rest of my fellow trekkers were already at Girigadde House (One Mr.Bhat lives in this single house at Girigadde), I really slowed down a lot after the forest cover was over. It was great view all around.

It was about 6pm when I reached Girigadde House. 5 hours of looong and winding trek path! Our plan was to stay at this house for the night and continue towards the peak early next morning.

Mr.Bhat offers food and shelter to the trekkers. Some call it as a great service. But I plainly saw it as a business. He does charge a lot for food and hence it can not be called as service. Fair enough, trekkers get a place to rest and quench the thirst and hunger; but at a good price! Nothing wrong in it. I somehow just could not think beyond seeing it as a 'Business'.

Early in the morning at about 6, we were off towards the peak. On the way there are 2 main sub-peaks to be crossed known as 'Bhattada Raashi' and 'Shesha Parvata'. The walk along the side of Bhattada Raashi was exciting. Atop Shesha Parvata it is a fabulous view.

From Shesha Parvata the path leads down into rain forest and then comes up at the far end in what is known as the peak of Kumara Parvata. It was 10 am when I reached there. The trek is worth. Except for the initial route till a kilometer before Girigadde, rest of the trek path is awesome.