Cool away in the hill resort of Ranikhet. The sylvan surroundings of Ranikhet have attracted innumerable people. Together with the vistas of the Himalayas, ancient temples, picturesque picnic spots, splendid strolls and the exciting treks Ranikhet is a popular tourist destination in India.

Location

The hill resort of Ranikhet stands at 1824 m above sea level. Ranikhet is located in the northern Indian state of Uttaranchal. In the Kumaon Hills the hill resort of Ranikhet is 59 km from Nainital and 50 km from Almora.

It is believed that the hill resort of Ranikhet derives it name from the Rani Padmini, queen of Raja Sukherdev, the local ruler. The queen was awe-struck by the beauty of the place. The queen was so captivated by the place that she decided to stay there, and the place came to be known as Ranikhet i.e. the queen's field. The region around Ranikhet was ruled by local Kumaoni rulers and later came under British rule. The British developed Ranikhet as a hill station for their troops and established a cantonment in 1869. Ranikhet is still a cantonment town and is the Kumaon Regimental Center. Till date the hill resort of Ranikhet offers refugee to the sun baked people of the plains.

The hill resort of Ranikhet is a nature lover's paradise. Unrivaled for the panoramic views Ranikhet offers the best of the Western Himalayas. While at Ranikhet you may enjoy the excellent view of the great Himalayan peak of Nanda Devi that stands 7816 m above sea level.

There are several spectacular treks from Ranikhet that the adventure tourists at the hill resort may take up. The treks to Kausani, Dunagiri and Sitalakhet pass through interesting terrain.

Tourists love to stroll around the town of Ranikhet and its sylvan surroundings. You must check out the Jhula Devi temple and the Chaubatia orchards that are within walking distance, south of the main Mall Road of Ranikhet. Another tourist destination in Ranikhet is the artificial lake of Bhaludham.

Upat Kalika, 4 km north of Ranikhet and on the main road to Almora, offers panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges and has a nine-hole golf course is another must visit.

In order to enjoy the beauty of nature at its best you may move to the vintage points of Chubatia and Majkhali.

Tourist Places

Near the hill resort of Ranikhet there are several other places of tourists interest. At around sixty km from Ranikhet is another hill resort of Nainital. The Naini Lake and the nature spots in the vicinity are major attractions.

While visiting Ranikhet you may even move on the hill resort of Almora, at a distance of 50 km. At Almora the health resorts and wondrous vistas of the Himalayan ranges are a must visit.

For those of you with a liking for the past there are ancient sculptures at Dwarahat. Just 38 km away from Ranikhet Dwarahat was once the principal seat of the Katyuri Rajas.

Sitalakhet, Tarikhet and Khairna are the other interesting excursion options from Ranikhet.

How to Reach

Even though the hill resort of Ranikhet does not have an airport or a railway station of its own, it is easily accessible. The nearest airport happens to be at Pant Nagar (Nainital), at a distance of 1119 km. During the summer regular flights link other important places with Nainital and in turn Ranikhet. The nearest railhead for Ranikhet is Kathgodam, at a distance of 84 km. The excellent road network connects Ranikhet with other important cities. The main bus station is located near the main tourist office adjacent to the Sadar Bazaar area. The bus service from Ranikhet to Nainital, Almora, Kathgodam, and Kausani is frequent.

Best Time to Visit

The hill resort of Ranikhet remains pleasant all through the year. Ranikhet experiences Alpine type of climate. The summers are mild and last from April to June. The winters are cold and carry on from November to February. The months of December and January sees snow fall in the hill resort. Though through July and August Ranikhet experiences heavy rainfalls, under the influence of southwestern monsoons. Rains have been known to cause landslides and should therefore be avoided.

Where to Stay

Accommodation is easily available in the hill resort of Ranikhet. There are many hotels that cater to the needs of the tourists in Ranikhet. The tourist rest house and the inspection bungalows make up the other accommodation options in Ranikhet. Thus, Ranikhet has comfortable stay in store for the tourists with varying budgets.