Tourist places in and around Ranikhet

With museums, temples, lively bazaars and orchards full of fruit, there is plenty to see and do here. Ranikhet is also a great place in which to do nothing but relax under a pleasant sun and gaze leisurely at the majestic Himalayas, while imbibing copious quantities of tea.

Chaubatia orchards and Bhalu Dam

The cool climate of the Himalayas and the soil of Kumaon make a fruitful combination and the government orchards at Chaubatia, 10 km to the south of Ranikhet, reap the benefits. You can picnic in the garden here and buy seasonal fruits from the orchards. Bhalu Dam, 3.2 km away, supplies Ranikhet with its water and is popular for fishing. Be sure, however, to take permission from the District Forest Officer before casting your rod. Permission can also be obtained from the Fisheries Officer at Bhimtal, which you will pass through en route to Ranikhet.

10 km from Ranikhet Chaubatia has beautiful gardens. Many fruit orchards can be found here. The State Government has a huge garden and fruit maintenance department here. This is an ideal spot for picnics.

Upat and Kalika

Upat offers golfing at high altitudes, where a high-powered shot can land far, far below in the valley! Situated 5 km from Ranikhet's bus stand, visitors can have a game of golf at the Army Golf Course in Upat for Rs 500. Golf clubs are also available for hire at Rs 100. An old temple dedicated to goddess Kali from whence the town of Kalika gets its name lies just a kilometre away from Upat.

6 km from Ranikhet Upat is a modern but historical place. Here there is a 9-hole golf course. 6000 feet above sea level there is a different satisfaction in playing golf. In this course there are bungalows for the players to stay. Many films have been shot here. Further from Upat is Kalika, which is famous for the temple of Goddess Kali.

Majhkhali

Another 13 km down the Almora road, this village has many beautiful picnic spots. Awe-inspiring snow peaks provide magnificent views all round. Grab a spot next to the mountain streams running under the pine trees. Pack a well-stocked hamper, a ground mat and a pair of binoculars and lose yourself to nature.

Walks in the forest

Stroll down one of the many forest trails around Ranikhet. The winding route from behind the Army Holiday Home to the AMU Guest House is a peaceful, secluded path. The trek up from the Mall towards this same guest house is another pleasant walk, along which you can see many old British bungalows. Another option is the path 1 km south of the West View Hotel. You can walk up to the Jhula Devi Temple and continue to the orchards of Chaubatia, then trudge another 4 km along the top of a ridge to the artificial lake of the Bhalu Dam.

KRC Museum

A little path snakes up towards the Kumaon Regimental Centre grounds from Ranikhet's main road. The KRC Museum displays memorabilia from the wars that the regiment has fought. India's first Param Vir Chakra was awarded to Major Somnath Sharma of this very regiment. The Mankameshwar Temple maintained by the KRC is en route. The KRC widows organisation runs a weaving factory near the Nar Singh Stadium parade ground, just before the KRC Museum, which is housed in an old church with a high, vaulted ceiling and stained glass windows. It's worth a visit just to see the women working at their looms in such beautiful surroundings.

Dwarhat

This place was a capital for the Kings of the Katyuri Dynasty. There are 55 ancient temples here. These were built from the 11th to the 16th century. The only engineering college of Uttarakhand is found here. Dwarhat is 38 km from Ranikhet.

Bhalu Dam

3 km from Chaubatia, this dam has a lake and a picnic spot.

Hedakhan Temple

6 km away, to reach here from Ranikhet one can get regular taxis and jeeps from the bus stand. A huge modern temple of Saint Hedakhan is found here.

Shitalakhet

35 km from Ranikhet, Shitalakhet is on the highway. One can reach here directly from Almora too. There are bus services from Ranikhet. Snow-capped peaks are visible from here. Overnight stay is possible here in hotels, tourist's bungalows and government guesthouses. Trekking is a treat here. 3 km away is a temple.

Binsar Mahadev

Amidst a pine forest is this ancient Shiva temple, which is 19 km away from Ranikhet. Also found here are temples of Durga and Ram.

Doonagiri

This Durga temple is 52 km away from Ranikhet.

Majhkhali

En route from Ranikhet to Almora Majhkhali is a peaceful tourist spots 13 km away from Ranikhet.