Diego-Ambanja-Diego by bike

The route between Diego and Ambanja is suitable for biking anytime of the year, even at times when the road is in a bad condition as it often is during the rainy season between December and April, which is when the landscapes are the greenest.

Diego to Antsalaka

Start early, ideally around 6am to avoid many passing cars and trucks between warehouses along the stretch from Diego to Arrachart Airport. Thereafter, traffic along the RN6 is less frequent.

Passing the French Mountain on the left the route is consistently but not steep uphill. After 60km, at the sign to Antsalaka and Park National d'Ambre, turn off RN6 and continue 6km to Antsalaka where accommodation following another 1.5km mostly walking trail to West Valley Lodge is recommended.

Alternatively, stay on RN6 and continue for 13km of mostly uphill biking to Anivorano Nord where accommodation at La Reine d'Ankarana is recommended.

Tuesday, March 26, 2019 7:44 AM EAT
Distance: 42.4 miles
Duration: 10 hours, 39 minutes, and 22 seconds
Average Speed: 4.0 mph
Minimum Elevation: 168 feet
Maximum Elevation: 1920 feet
Total climb: 3065 feet
Total descent: 1337 feet

Antsalaka to Ambilobe

Monday, April 1, 2019 6:32 AM EAT
Distance: 50.7 miles
Duration: 9 hours, 13 minutes, and 48 seconds
Average Speed: 5.5 mph
Minimum Elevation: 101 feet
Maximum Elevation: 1900 feet
Total climb: 1168 feet
Total descent: 2952 feet

Ambilobe to Ambanja

Tuesday, April 2, 2019 6:17 AM EAT
Distance: 64.4 miles
Duration: 11 hours, 5 minutes, and 55 seconds
Average Speed: 5.8 mph
Minimum Elevation: 43 feet
Maximum Elevation: 177 feet
Total climb: 596 feet
Total descent: 647 feet

Ambanja to Ankify

Sunday, October 14, 2018 10:19 AM EAT
Distance: 13.5 miles
Duration: -32 minutes and -24 seconds
Average Speed: -8.8 mph
Minimum Elevation: 79 feet
Maximum Elevation: 79 feet
Total climb: 0 feet
Total descent: 0 feet