Changes

Passing the French Mountain on the left, the route runs consistently but not steep uphill. After 60km, at the sign for Antsalaka and Park National d'Ambre, turn right and continue 6km to [[Antsalaka]]. From here, another 1.5km of mostly walking trail leads to where accommodation is offered at West Valley Lodge, a farm and tropical garden on which countless flowers, fruit and vegetables grow.

About one to two hours later you will pass the main entrance to [[Ankarana National Park]] and shortly thereafter reach a point with great views in the direction of [[Ambilobe]] and , the coast and the Tsaratanana Massif. Thereafter, a long and beautiful downhill stretch followsawaits you.

A good lunch restaurant named Relax's Garden can be found at [https://goo.gl/maps/jSqsxnbDf92KRa1k7 S 13°29.605' E048°39.358']. However, there are usually not many guests so there's not always something on the stove. If you want to be sure to have food prepared, call Mme Mariamo at 032 34 397 49 and place an advance order when leaving in the morning or in the evening before. Alternatively, a popular truck-stop where there's always something in the pot cooking can be found on the left side of the road a few kilometres further.

Before reaching the crossroad town of [[Madirofolo]] it's possible to take a shortcut by turning off the main road right onto a zebu cart road at [https://goo.gl/maps/zbmBHLHnyoZE32Wa8 13°37'32.5"S 48°28'15.5"E] to avoid much of the traffic along the final stretch into Ambanja. The route leads runs through cacao plantations parallel to the main road through cacao plantations. However, at times of frequent rainfall this route gets muddy and becomes partly or mostly impossible to bike. Then just continue the main road a bit further and turn left at Madirofolo.  {| class="imageTable"|-|colspan="3" | [[File:Hotel_Palma_Nova_358.jpg|600px]]|-|[[File:Hotel_Palma_Nova_064.jpg|196px]]|align="center"|[[File:Hotel_Palma_Nova_057.jpg|196px]]|align="right"|[[File:Hotel_Palma_Nova_058.jpg|196px]]|-|[[File:Hotel_Palma_Nova_071.jpg|196px]]|align="center"|[[File:Hotel_Palma_Nova_052.jpg|196px]]|align="right"|[[File:Hotel_Palma_Nova_063.jpg|196px]]|-|colspan="3" | [[File:Hotel_Palma_Nova_148.jpg|600px]]|-|} There are several hotel options in Ambanja and the best as of 2019 must be [[Palma Nova]], which offer accommodation for all budgets from a dorm to doubles with en suite bathroom and a nice informal restaurant and bar. It's easy to get lazy here while exploring the area.

For those who haven't explored [[Sambirano]], a between [[https://www.madacamp.com/Andranomandevy_(Ambanja)|one ]] and [[https://www.madacamp.com/Beangona|three day]]'s bike ride along the river can be highly is recommended.