Ranikhet means 'Queen's Field' and is said to be named after the wife of the 12th-century raja, Sudhar Deve. Spread along a ridge at 1,830 metres (6,004 feet), Ranikhet is covered with pine and oak forests. On its northern side it offers fine snow views. Ranikhet is still a cantonment. The town is now the home of the Kumaon Regiment, one of the Indian army's best.

Ranikhet is located in the northern state of Uttaranchal in the Kumaon hills. Ranikhet is about 59 kilometres from Nainital and 50 kilometres from Almora. Ranikhet has derived its name from Rani Padmini, who was so enamoured by the place that she decided to stay there. The place is then come to known as Ranikhet, which means fields of Rani. Later British developed Ranikhet as army cantonment. Ranikhet is still a cantonment town and one can see soldiers in the area.

Sightseeing

• Hera Khan Temple
  Hera Khan Temple and Ashram, near Chilianaula village, is four kms from Sadar Bazaar. The Hindu saint, Hera Khan, died in 1984 and the modern marble-faced temple with a grarden was constructed according to his wishes. The baba had many European followers and the ashram is inhabited mainly by them.
• Uphat
  Uphat is 6 kms from Sadar Bazaar on Almora Road. It is the site of one of the highest golf courses with views of the Great Himalayas. The course was originally laid out by a British cavalry officer as a cross-country race track, and the track now forms the perimeter of the nine-hole course. The golf course is run by the army, but anyone with a set of clubs is welcome to a game for a nominal charge. The course is, however, closed during the monsoon, from July to September. There is a refreshment kiosk in the centre of the golf course. Just beyond the golf course is a small temple to Kalika and a government forest nursery. Further along the same road, 13 kms, from Sadar Bazaar, is Majkhali, recommended for its views of the snows.
• Chaubatia
  It is ten kms from Sadar Bazaar. It was originally a sanatorium for British troops. It now houses the Government Fruit Garden and Research Station which grows 200 varieties of fruit. After wandering through the extensive woods and orchards of the garden one can also buy the produce at knockdown prices. The peak of the apple season is August-September. A three kms walk from Chaubatia leads to the artificial lake of Bhaludam.
• Jhula Devi Temple
  Jhula Devi Temple is 7 km away. It is believed that once a month, a leopard comes to the temple, but only the priest sees it. Above Jhula Devi is a temple of Lord Ram and Binsar Mahadev, 19 kms away.

How to reach

• Air
  Pantnagar is the nearest airport to Ranikhet, which is about 114 kilometres.
• Rail
  The nearest railhead to Ranikhet is Kathgodam, which is at a distance of about 82 kilometres from Ranikhet.
• Road
  Ranikhet is well connected by road to other major towns.