Route library · Weekend · Mountains
Delhi to Ranikhet
Ranikhet is a working cantonment on a forested ridge at about 1,830 m, laid out by the British around a golf course and never really turned into a tourist strip. Deodar and oak line the roads, the views of Nanda Devi and Trishul open up from Chaubatia and the Kalika ridge, and it is one of the calmest hill towns left in Kumaon.
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At a glance
- Round trip
- About 690–730 km
- Riding time
- 8–9 hours each way
- Nights
- One night is enough; two is unhurried
- Start point
- Delhi (via Rampur and Kathgodam)
- Highest point
- About 1,870 m at the Ranikhet ridge
- Difficulty
- Moderate. A long plains stretch, then a straightforward hill climb — nothing technical.
- Surface
- Good sealed road throughout, including the Kathgodam–Ranikhet climb
- Best season
- October to June. Winter brings light snow on the ridge and the clearest views; the monsoon (July–September) is wet and often cloudy.
The ride
Delhi → Rampur → Kathgodam → Bhowali → Ranikhet. The plains stretch is the slow part; from Bhowali the road climbs steadily through pine and oak with easy bends.
Ranikhet itself is small and orderly: the golf course, the cantonment bazaar, and short rides out to Chaubatia for the fruit gardens and the Nanda Devi viewpoint, and Jhula Devi temple in the deodar forest. Bring the walk up to Kalika ridge into the evening for the sunset light on the peaks.
Day by day
Delhi to Ranikhet
Delhi → Rampur → Kathgodam → Bhowali → Ranikhet (8–9 hours). Settle in and catch the evening light from the cantonment ridge.
Ranikhet and Chaubatia
Morning ride to Chaubatia gardens and the Nanda Devi viewpoint, then Jhula Devi temple. An easy day, mostly on foot once you're up there.
Ranikhet to Delhi
Back down through Bhowali and Kathgodam to the plains. Start early to clear Rampur before the highway gets busy.
Fuel & services
- Fuel is easy the whole way — Rampur, Rudrapur, Kathgodam, Bhowali and Ranikhet all have pumps.
- Ranikhet has hotels, KMVN guesthouses and a growing number of homestays across budgets.
Road & conditions
Sealed and in good condition almost throughout. The plains stretch to Kathgodam is straightforward but can be slow with truck traffic; the hill climb from Bhowali is winding but well surfaced and rarely rough. Weekend tourist traffic builds up near Bhowali and Nainital junction — the Ranikhet turn is usually quieter than the Nainital road itself.
Bike, fuel & getting help
- Suggested bike
- Fine on a well-maintained 150–200cc commuter.
- Fuel gap
- Longest dry stretch is short — a normal tank covers it with margin.
- Spare fuel
- None needed for this route.
- Emergency & logistics
- The nearest well-equipped hospital is the valley/district town, one to two hours off; signal is patchy above the bazaar; carry the group lead's number and an emergency card.
Best time to ride
October to June is generally good. Late September to November gives the clearest post-monsoon mountain views; spring (March–May) is green with rhododendron colour. Winter dusts the ridge with light snow and the air is crisp. The monsoon months are wet with reduced visibility.
What to add to your kit
Beyond the standard ride kit: a warm layer for the ridge evenings and a camera for the Chaubatia viewpoint. Nothing technical.
Ride this with a group
We run Ranikhet as an easy one-night cantonment weekend, with the Chaubatia and Jhula Devi clean-up built into day two.