Ranch seen from distant mountaintop (4)
I believe the answer is:
farm
'ranch' is the definition.
(I know that ranch is a more specific form of farm)
'distant mountaintop' is the wordplay.
'distant' becomes 'far' (similar in meaning).
'mountaintop' becomes 'm' (top of the word 'mountain').
'far'+'m'='FARM'
'seen from' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for farm that I've seen before include "Manage land for crops or livestock" , "Rural workplace" , "Homestead" , "Agricultural unit" , "Smallholding" .)