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In the midst of dense pine forests in the Kumaon Hills is the sylvan cantonment town of Ranikhet, 50 km west of Almora. Ranikhet has an old world charm with graceful churches and sprawling colonial bungalows fronted by flower-bedecked gardens. The town is spread over a series of ridges and pretty, tree lined paths wind into the surrounding alpine forests. Locals have been known to spot the occasional leopard on the outskirts of town. In spite of being one of the most beautiful hill resorts in the Kumaon region, Ranikhet still retains its laidback, unblemished charm and is not spilling over with visitors.

Legend has it that a visiting queen (rani) was so enchanted by Ranikhet’s beauty that she established a township here. In 1869 the land around Ranikhet was bought by the British to create a summer resort and cantonment town. As in other colonial hill resorts, town life centres on the Mall.

At a height of 1,829 metres, the ridge tops of Ranikhet are good vantage points for panoramic vistas of Himalayan peaks including the Nanda Devi group.Nanda Devi is the second highest mountain in India, and the highest entirely within the country.The peak is regarded as the patron-goddess of the Uttarakhand Himalaya. Nandadevi is visible as most prominent heighest peak on the left side in this photograph.

Refer:http://www.journeymart.com/holidays-getaways/India/Ranikhet/index.asp?ct=78&q=Ranikhet