Ranikhet

Ranikhet — literally the 'queen's meadow' — takes its name from a legend in which a Kumaoni queen, Rani Padmini, was so enchanted by these pine-clad slopes that she chose to stay. Today it is one of the most pristine and peaceful hill stations in Kumaon, largely because much of it is a cantonment, the regimental home of the Indian Army's Kumaon Regiment, which has kept commercial sprawl firmly at bay.

The result is a town of clean air, manicured greens, deodar and pine forests and long uninterrupted views of the snow ranges, all set at around 1,869 metres. The British established it as a sanatorium in the 19th century, and that gentle, restful character endures.

Its attractions are unhurried by design: a beautifully maintained high-altitude golf course at Upat, the cheerful Jhula Devi temple hung with thousands of bells, the apple and fruit orchards of Chaubatia, and the Kumaon Regimental Centre museum that tells the story of the soldiers who call this place home. For anyone seeking quiet over crowds, Ranikhet is a tonic.

March–June and September–November are ideal. Winters can see light snow.