Ranikhet's cantonment dates from 1868 to 1869, when the British chose the ridge for troops and acquired land from Chaubatia, Holm Khet and Upat; earlier the Troupe family had bought land here hoping to plant tea.
Source: Ranikhet
Hill station in Kumaon
Ranikhet
A tidy army cantonment, orchards and pine walks on the queen's meadow
Ranikhet is a cantonment town at about 1,869 m, 60 km from Nainital, home of the Kumaon Regimental Centre. Its clean, pine-lined roads, the regiment's museum, the Chaubatia orchards and the Jhula Devi temple make it a calm two-night stop, especially for families and older travellers who want gentle walks.
Photo: Original: Harshit SR Derivative work: Unpetitp… · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsRanikhet means queen's meadow in Kumaoni. Local legend says the Katyuri king Sudhardev won the heart of Rani Padmini here and she chose it for her home, though no palace has ever been found. The modern town began in 1869, when the British set up a cantonment on land bought from the villages of Chaubatia, Holm Khet and Upat, and the army has shaped it ever since.
Today Ranikhet is the home of the Kumaon Regimental Centre and the Naga Regiment, and much of the ridge is cantonment land with neat roads, old barracks, churches and forest kept free of new building. That makes it one of the quietest hill towns in Kumaon. The Sadar Bazaar below the cantonment is the town's busy civilian centre, with buses, shops and simple hotels.
Around the town, orchards and forest fill the spurs. Chaubatia, 10 km south, has a government fruit garden and research station with apple, peach, plum and apricot trees. Upat, about 6 km away, has a golf course run by the army, and the road to Kausani and Almora passes through pine forest and villages. On clear days the peaks from Trishul to Nanda Devi show on the northern skyline.
Say it like a local · KumaoniKhet
field or meadow; Ranikhet is the queen's field
What to do in Ranikhet
Kumaon Regimental Centre museum
The regiment's museum in the cantonment tells the story of the Kumaon and Naga regiments through uniforms, weapons, medals and captured items. Entry is controlled by the army; carry ID and check opening days with your hotel.
Chaubatia gardens
A government fruit garden and research centre 10 km south, with orchards of apple, peach, plum and apricot. Spring blossom and summer fruit are the times to go; a viewpoint nearby looks north to the peaks.
Jhula Devi temple
On the road to Chaubatia, this temple to the goddess is hung with thousands of bells offered by devotees whose prayers were answered. It is small, busy on festival days and an easy stop on the orchard drive.
Upat golf links
About 6 km from town on the Almora road, the army-run nine-hole course at Upat sits on an open meadow with forest around it. Civilians may play on payment of green fees subject to army rules; ask in advance.
Cantonment walks
Walk the Mall and cantonment roads through pine and deodar past colonial bungalows and churches. Traffic is light and the paths are flat. Respect signs: some areas are restricted and photography of military buildings is not allowed.
Field notes
What most guides miss about Ranikhet
Ranikhet means queen's meadow. Local legend says the Katyuri king Sudhardev courted Rani Padmini here and she chose the place for her residence, though no palace has ever been found.
Source: Ranikhet
Newcastle disease, a serious viral disease of poultry, is widely known in India as Ranikhet disease, after the town where it was reported in the country.
Source: Newcastle disease
Experiences
Three days worth having in Ranikhet
Photo: Ibn Batoota · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Commons
Ranikhet · 3 hours
Kumaon Regiment museum and cantonment walk
Visit the museum of the Kumaon Regimental Centre to understand the regiment that recruits from these hills, then walk t…
Museum ₹20–100, subject to army rules
Photo: Ibn Batoota · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Commons
Ranikhet · 2–3 hours
Chaubatia orchards and viewpoint
Ten kilometres south of Ranikhet, Chaubatia's government orchards and fruit research centre fill a slope with apple, pe…
Small entry fee; taxi ₹800–1,200 return
Photo: Mrneutrino · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Ranikhet · 1 hour
Bells of the Jhula Devi temple
On the road from Ranikhet to Chaubatia, the Jhula Devi temple is hung with thousands of bells offered by devotees. It i…
Free
Real prices
What things cost in Ranikhet
ItemIndicative 2026
Shared taxi seat, Haldwani–Ranikhet₹300–450
Regimental museum entry₹20–100, subject to army rules
Budget hotel double in Sadar Bazaar₹1,500–3,000 a night
Taxi for Chaubatia, Jhula Devi and Upat (half day)₹1,500–2,500
Kumaoni thali in Sadar Bazaar₹150–250
Local prices change with season and fuel costs. Check current status before you travel.
Getting there
How to reach Ranikhet
Air
Pantnagar Airport is about 110 km away, roughly 3.5 hours by taxi via Haldwani. A taxi costs about ₹4,000–5,000.
Train
Kathgodam railway station is about 80 km away, 3 hours via Bhowali, Garampani and Khairna. Shared taxis leave from Kathgodam and Haldwani; a private taxi costs ₹2,800–3,800. The Ranikhet Express from Delhi is named after the town but ends at Kathgodam.
Bus
Uttarakhand Roadways buses run from Delhi's Anand Vihar to Ranikhet in about 10 hours, and KMOU buses run from Haldwani several times a day. Ranikhet is also about 50 km from Almora and 60 km from Nainital. Check current status before you travel in the monsoon.
Where to stay
Sleeping in Ranikhet
Saver: simple hotels in Sadar Bazaar start around ₹1,500 a night, and KMVN runs a rest house at Chilianaula, about 5 km from town on the Dwarahat road. Comfort: West View, a heritage hotel built in 1918 on 5 acres of forest above the town, has high-ceilinged rooms with fireplaces and a quiet garden. A few resorts on the Chaubatia and Majkhali roads have mountain-facing cottages. There is no luxury hotel in Ranikhet itself.
Questions
Ranikhet, answered
Is Ranikhet worth visiting?
Yes, for a quiet stay. Ranikhet has clean cantonment roads, pine forest walks, the Kumaon Regiment museum, orchards at Chaubatia and mountain views, with fewer crowds than Nainital. It is not a place for nightlife or lakes.
How far is Ranikhet from Nainital?
About 60 km, 2–2.5 hours by road via Bhowali and Khairna. Shared taxis and buses connect the two through Bhowali.
What is the best time to visit Ranikhet?
March to June and September to December. April brings orchard blossom, October and November the clearest views. July and August are wet, and winter nights fall near freezing.
How many days are enough for Ranikhet?
Two nights covers the museum, Chaubatia, Jhula Devi, Upat and cantonment walks. Ranikhet works well as a stop between Nainital and Kausani or Almora.
Is Ranikhet good for seniors?
Yes. The cantonment roads are mostly level and quiet, the town has a military hospital, and drives to nearby sights are short. Choose a stay close to the road to avoid steep steps.
Does it snow in Ranikhet?
Light snow falls in some winters, usually in January or February, but not every year. Nights are cold from December to February.
Can civilians play golf at Upat?
Civilians are usually allowed to play at the army-run Upat golf course on payment of green fees, subject to army rules and availability. Ask in advance; it may close for events.
What is a budget stay in Ranikhet?
Simple hotels in Sadar Bazaar cost ₹1,500–3,000 a night for a double, and KMVN runs a rest house at Chilianaula nearby. Meals at local eateries cost ₹150–250.
Is there an ATM in Ranikhet?
Yes, several banks and ATMs operate in Sadar Bazaar. Still carry some cash for small shops and taxis.