Ranikhet: Cantonment Calm, Pine Forests & Golf

A Quiet Cantonment Town

Ranikhet is a hill town built around a working Army cantonment — home to the Kumaon Regimental Centre — and that military presence has kept it unusually clean, orderly, and free of the dense construction found in many other Kumaon hill stations. At roughly 1,870 metres, it sits on a forested ridge in Almora district, a couple of hours from Nainital.

Its best-known feature is the Upat Golf Course, run by the Army and counted among the highest-altitude golf courses in India — a rolling, forest-fringed course that draws golfers and curious visitors alike. Around it, Ranikhet offers dense pine and deodar forest walks, the bell-covered Jhula Devi Temple, and Chaubatia Gardens, a hillside orchard and viewpoint known for its apple and apricot trees.

Compared to nearby Nainital or the Himalayan-view town of Kausani, Ranikhet is quieter still — there's no lake, no busy mall road, and little in the way of a tourist market. It's a destination for slow walks, forest air, and a genuinely uncrowded hill-station pace.

Best Time to Visit Ranikhet

Ranikhet's forested, high-altitude setting means the seasons play out fairly classically for a Kumaon hill town.

Our pick: March to June, or September to November — comfortable temperatures, clear views, and dry trails through the pine forests.

How to Reach Ranikhet

• By air: Pantnagar is the nearest airport, roughly 120 km away, with limited flight connections mainly to Delhi. Taxis and buses cover the remaining distance by road.
• By rail: Kathgodam is the nearest railhead, about 80 km away, with good connectivity to Delhi and other major cities. From there, shared taxis and buses run to Ranikhet via Bhowali.
• By road: Ranikhet can be reached directly from Kathgodam (about 3 hours) or via Nainital and Bhowali, a scenic route that adds an hour or so but passes through classic Kumaon hill scenery.

Things to Do in Ranikhet

Upat Golf Course

Run by the Army and set among pine trees, this is counted among India's highest-altitude golf courses. Civilian access has historically been available on a paid, limited basis — worth confirming locally — and even non-golfers often stop by for the forested setting alone.

Jhula Devi Temple

Roughly 8 km from town, this small temple set inside a quiet oak forest is known for the thousands of bells devotees have tied to its walls and entrance over the years, left as offerings after a wish was believed fulfilled — one of the more distinctive small shrines in Kumaon.

Chaubatia Gardens

A hillside government-run orchard about 10 km from Ranikhet, planted with apple, apricot, and plum trees, with a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding hills — a pleasant, unhurried stop, particularly during the spring blossom season.

Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum

A military museum documenting the history of the Kumaon Regiment, with uniforms, weapons, and memorabilia spanning decades of service — a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in the town's Army heritage and the regiment's role in India's military history.

Where to Stay in Ranikhet

Ranikhet's accommodation is spread out and low-key, with many properties tucked into the pine forest rather than clustered around a central market.

Suggested Visit Plan (1-2 Days)

* Ranikhet pairs well with Kausani or Jim Corbett for a longer Kumaon circuit.

Where to Eat in Ranikhet

• Hotel and guesthouse kitchens: Most accommodation serves simple North Indian and Kumaoni home-style food, the most reliable option given Ranikhet's small, spread-out layout.
• Cantonment area bakeries and cafés: A handful of small bakeries near the main market area serve baked goods and simple snacks, a legacy of the town's older cantonment character.
• Local dhabas: Basic, inexpensive thalis and North Indian staples along the main road through town.

Budget Breakdown

* Figures are per person, per day. Golf course access is subject to Army rules and may not always be open to civilians.

Essential Tips for Visiting Ranikhet

• Confirm golf course access ahead: Civilian entry to Upat Golf Course depends on current Army policy — check locally rather than assuming.
• Respect cantonment area rules: Certain roads and installations are military property — photography restrictions may apply in some zones.
• Rent a car or hire a taxi: Ranikhet's attractions are spread out across the forested ridge, making a vehicle more practical than walking between them.
• Pack for cool evenings year-round: Even in summer, forested Ranikhet cools down noticeably after dark.
• Don't expect a big market or nightlife: Ranikhet's appeal is quiet forest walks and clean air, not shopping or entertainment.

Frequently Asked Questions