The short answer
Sonsogor Trek: what visitors should know first
Only for fit, experienced walkers with a guide and forest permission. Accounts of the climb vary widely, from a short guided hike to a day of seven hours up through trackless forest with river crossings. Not suitable for older travellers.
History and context
The story behind Sonsogor Trek
Sonsogor, also spelled Sonsogod, is the highest peak in Goa, on the tri-junction with Karnataka's Belagavi and Uttara Kannada districts. GTDC added a Sonsogor trek to its monsoon programme in 2023.
Useful facts
Sonsogor Trek facts at a glance
- Location
- Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Sattari, on the Goa-Karnataka border
- Altitude
- About 1,026 m (3,366 ft), Goa's highest point
- Experience type
- Summit trek
- Known for
- Goa's highest peak and deep Ghats forest
- Time or schedule
- A long full day; best after the monsoon
Why it matters
Why Sonsogor Trek is worth your time
Sonsogor is the roof of Goa, and reaching it takes you deep into the northern Western Ghats on a border few visitors see. It is also one of the few places in Goa where a walk still feels like an expedition, with no road, shop or signal near the top.
The Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary has tigers, leopards and bears, and the forest department has closed several of its waterfalls to visitors in recent monsoons. The climb rewards preparation and respect for the forest rather than speed, and turning back early is always a sound choice.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Goa's highest point
The summit is the highest ground in the state.
- 02
Three-state border
The peak sits where Goa meets two Karnataka districts.
- 03
Deep forest
The climb passes through some of the least visited forest in Goa.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The Goa Forest Department lists trek routes to Sonsogod from Keri and from Valpoi in Sattari taluka. The peak, about 1,026 m (3,366 ft) by most measurements, sits where Goa meets Karnataka's Khanapur and Joida taluks, in the forest of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
Descriptions of the climb vary a lot. GTDC promoted a shorter guided version in 2023, but a forest-guard-escorted climb reported in February 2026 took about seven hours to the top, crossing a river three times, and the round trip ran well into the evening. Plan for the longer version: start at first light, carry ample water and food, and turn back if time runs short.
Go only with a local guide arranged with forest permission; the forest holds bears, leopards and tigers, and the path is not always clear.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Arrange forest permission and a guide
- Start at first light
- Carry ample water, food and a torch
- Expect river crossings
- Turn back if time runs short
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Sattari taluka, on the Goa-Karnataka border
- Time needed
- A long full day
- Best time
- After the monsoon, from about October to February, subject to forest rules
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- This is a long, steep climb through dense forest, with river crossings and stretches without a defined path. Older travellers should not attempt it. Parents can wait in Valpoi or Keri, where the forest department has rest houses, while fitter family members make the climb.
- Tickets and access
- The peak is inside Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. Forest department permission and a guide are needed; routes are listed from Keri and from Valpoi, and the North Goa forest office handles arrangements. Confirm current rules and fees locally.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Sonsogor Trek
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
This is a long, steep climb through dense forest, with river crossings and stretches without a defined path. Older travellers should not attempt it. Parents can wait in Valpoi or Keri, where the forest department has rest houses, while fitter family members make the climb.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How high is Sonsogor?
About 1,026 m, making it the highest point in Goa; some sources give 1,027 m.
How long does it take?
Reports vary widely. Plan for a long full day; one escorted climb in 2026 took about seven hours to the summit.
Is Sansogor the same peak?
Yes, Sansogor, Sonsogor and Sonsogod are spellings of the same peak.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Sonsogor
- Goa Forest Department: Madei Wildlife Sanctuary
- The Goan: Girl scales Sonsogor (2026)
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
