Why Ramgarh & Mukteshwar Are Kumaon's Favourite Second-Home Address

Ask people who know the Kumaon hills well where they would build a home, and many will point to the stretch of road between Ramgarh and Mukteshwar. It's higher and quieter than Nainital, greener than many busier hill towns, and on clear days it opens up to sweeping views of the snow peaks.

A landscape of orchards and forest

Ramgarh earned its nickname, the "Fruit Bowl of Kumaon", from the orchards that line its slopes — apples, peaches, plums and apricots. Around them stretch large tracts of oak, pine and cedar forest. The result is a landscape that changes beautifully with the seasons: blossom in spring, fruit in summer, golden light in autumn and the occasional dusting of snow in winter.

Mukteshwar: where the Himalayas open up

A short drive up the road, Mukteshwar sits on a ridge with panoramic views of the high Himalaya. It's known for the ancient Mukteshwar Dham temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the dramatic rock cliffs of Chauli ki Jali, orchards, and adventure activities like rock climbing and paragliding. It's also home to a historic campus of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, dating back to the colonial era.

A literary and spiritual heritage

The area has long drawn people looking for stillness. Rabindranath Tagore is associated with Ramgarh, and the hill known locally as Tagore Top is linked to his stay. The Hindi poet Mahadevi Verma also spent time here. Today, the spiritual pull of the region is felt most strongly at Kainchi Dham, the ashram associated with Neem Karoli Baba, which attracts devotees from across the world.

Close to everything that matters

One reason the Ramgarh–Mukteshwar belt works so well as a second-home address is that you are never far from the conveniences of the lake towns. From Ananda Hills at Nathua Khan:

That means a weekend can include a boat ride in Bhimtal, a visit to Kainchi Dham and dinner at home — see our list of places to explore near Ramgarh.

Cleaner air, cooler summers

At around 6,500 ft, summers are mild — typically around 12°C to 23°C between April and November — and the air quality usually stays in the "Good" range, with real-time AQI readings commonly between 15 and 40. For families escaping the heat and smog of the plains, that alone is a powerful reason to own a home here. Read more in our month-by-month weather guide.

Why buyers are choosing this belt

• Quieter than the big hill stations, without being remote.
• Year-round appeal — summer escapes, autumn views, winter fireplaces.
• A growing community of families, professionals and retirees using the hills as a second base.
• Flexible ownership — from compact studios to villas and plots.

Frequently asked questions