Gundigadde Falls

It was a breathtaking drive, we spent most of the drive in silence completely overwhelmed by the beauty around us. After 3 hours bike ride we finally reached the village. It was such an amazing experience to get a glimpse of the people’s lives there, the kids and the elders were some of the warmest people you could ever meet.

Gundigadde falls is incredibly beautiful and unspoiled. Check out those lovely mountains, expansive rice fields, and thick woods. No wonder the air here is cool and refreshing.  After a short briefing we started a 30 minute hike to Gundigadde falls, the trail started with paddy fields and areca plants which meant that the noontime sun bombarded us with its full power. Thankfully though large trees and thick plants rose on either side of the trail and provided us a good shade. Along the way we found cool blossoms, I was amaze of the biodiversity.

The sound of a stream serenaded us, as we continued hiking the easy trail with the heat becoming more intense. After crossing the river and enduring an easy hike we arrived at top of the falls. Then finally we experienced our first glimpse of the Gundigadde Falls from the top. It was just beautiful! The 300 feet waterfalls was too inviting. Sans the sounds of human chatter and laughter, the rushing waters and the chirping birds are all singing to relax, enchant melody of Mother Nature. Once we reached the top it’s definitely worth to look at the vast rolling hills, slopes and valley.

I got even more excitement of, what the base of the highest level looks like: we hurriedly went down to get a final taste of it. We crossed the stream and climbed down the steep, grass covered rock cliff. There is nothing to grip the rocks; we have to use our hands and legs. By careful inching towards the mossy natural spillway we reached the bottom of initial stage of the waterfalls.

Gundigadde Water falls is in two levels. And further stream will join to Appemara madugundi.  The rocks in the bottom of the falls are quite slippery. The waterfalls fueled by hidden springs far beyond the mountains.

We continued to explore further levels.  Just few meters climbing down we are in the top of the second tire of waterfall. It has slippery rock bed and it is top of the second stage. This level is an example of a classic tiered or multistep waterfall. Each drop is similar to each other and has its own sunken plunge pool.

We tried to get in to the bottom of the lower tier but we couldn’t find a safe trail.  For more than an hour we had so much fun. We silently scrambled amidst the rushing water, withholding any conversation and enjoying the touch of Mother Nature.  Can you imagine how skillful her hands are in carving this natural wonder?

 Appemara madugundi

Arguably one of the most accelerating experiences I've ever had in Gundigadde. Just standing at the edge of Gundigadde Falls makes feel dizzy and cause shivers down in your spine but the adrenaline rush it offers is unbearably hard to resist. Waterfalls are not just wonders in nature but a blessing for hikers as well and the best example for this is the Gundigadde Falls.

Marse and Hulidevarakodlu Waterfalls

Enter the gateway to the most unspoiled, untouched and unexplored exciting waterfalls by crossing the calm river through hanging bridge. Feel the heaven and tranquility surrounded in the crib of evergreen forests, majestic bamboo groves, landscaped garden, impressive flora and fauna, magnificent rivers and natural scenic beauty.

The Morse village dates back to the pre-historic era. There have been evidences about civilizations that existed on the Aganashini and Bennehole river basins. There's an old Shiva temple in the banks of River Aganashini. During Marse trek route pass through forest, waterfalls and big rivers amidst the valleys of Aganashini Kolla.

Our plan was to visit Marse village and explore Marse Falls and then by evening we’ll go straight to the Hulidevara Kodlu Falls. My local friend, Mahabala accompanied us going to Morse and all throughout the entire trek.

When we took diversion from the main road just a few minute drives we find the beautiful Hanging Bridge. Upon crossing the bridge and passing through some narrow road welcomed by a thick forest and hills and that’s where the actual trekking starts. We started moving along the main stream, crossing the bamboo trees, thick bushes, sluggish waters, umpteen numbers of side streams and wet muds.

After about 1 hour walk we entered the village and another 30 minutes passing through muddy trail, paddy fields and Areca plantations we reached Mahabala’s uncle house. It turned out that the entrance to the trail going to the Waterfall is just next to the house of them. The team members were tired and we took small break before starting the final lap. Slow and study again we started. We had to cross yet another valley and the entire walk was through marshy land and almost every one of us had leeches crawling in our legs.

After about thirty minutes of passing through muddy trail and slopes, we started to hear the splash of the water. Soon we descended towards the main stream we reached the base of Marse Waterfall.

The astounding sight pleased my senses and made me realise that all those adjectives that are synonymous to stunning will be aptly expressed at that moment. No words to express as everyone were delighted and overjoyed with ecstasy. After all what you need in life is that moment of happiness under the waterfalls along with likeminded souls in the lush green forests with gushing water and gusty winds moving your soul.

I was anxious to see the next destination and wanted to walk fast but all I could do was to drag my foot one after another. Don’t know why but I was feeling very tired. I realized the gap between me and the group was slowly becoming wider.

We were looking forward for the next waterfalls, sounds of nature and excitement we started our trek deep into the jungles our journey into the wilderness began with lot of enthusiasm. Initial stretch was very slippery while climbing up the moss makes staying on feet especially difficult but after that we entered into some thick forest zone and from this point the walk was little easier.

After a big adventure lot of puffing and panting and not willing to give up we reached first stage of Hulidevarakodlu waterfalls. And there’s no other way to enjoy this immense beauty but by taking pictures with travel buddies. It was definitely the highlight of our trip enjoying this magnificence with friends.

BurudeJog Waterfall

On 1st June2008 at 7.30 in the morning we started journey to BurudeJog Falls. This wonderful waterfalls is around 40 km from Kumta and 24 kms from Siddapur, its on Kumta-Siddapur State highway. At one place we took left for another 5kms on mud track from the said state highway. First we went to Mr. Ganesh Hegde's house at Ilimane where we had tea.  One member of his family happily agreed to lead further trail with us.

After few minutes journey from their house we crossed small paddy fields and later entered jungle zone. At one point the trail goes very steep into the downer hill level we followed the risky trail with safe steps. While climbing down the hill we sight the beauty of waterfalls between trees. We reached safely to the bottom there three tier waterfalls opened in-front of us. First we decided to visit upper level of the waterfalls so we crossed the stream ad followed one small route which ends with huge pond under Second level. To reach smaller 1st stage it must need rock climbing tools which we don't, so we left to climb topper level. 

We were feeling brave and a little hot also so we opted to take a quick dip and stand under the falls. Definitely a cool experience, in more ways than one! On the 2nd and 3rd stage we took enough bath and enjoyed swim for long time. More than that we enjoyed to put our head under dripping water. It was a wonderful pleasing experience. This one is a wonderful one.. 

The Second step of the waterfall has an amphitheater sort of setting where hundreds of people can sit and watch the glorious waterfall and feel the mist rushing towards them. On the other side after a serious climb down you will get to see the other end of the waterfall. And the last stretch of this waterfall can only be heard from here. If you have a heart for climbing you can climb down to the edge of the rock to see it partially.

The risky downer trail which leads to Final Stage of the waterfalls..
Myself and my friend Ashok decided to go further downer streach. When we going down we pointed natuarl viewpoint. 2nd and 5th stages are most beautiful,5th the final stage falls from highest height.Beet a trout one has to remember is that,the person one who has courage and who wants to enjoy this at his risk can see the 5th stage.Unfortunately I am one among them.So you can see the photo's of the 5th stage.A good thing is that the place still it's not polluted and sad thing is that recently one person has died while taking the photo.