Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike

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There are many things to discover in the area surrounding Diego Suarez. For enthusiastic mountain bikers, a trip to Cap Diego is just the right thing. The small, sometimes good and sometimes bad road leads along the Diego Suarez Bay (Antsiranana Bay).

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Tour data

Distance: 46.2km / 28.7 miles
Duration: 8 hours, 7 minutes
Average Speed: 5.57km/h / 3.4 mph
Minimum Elevation: 7m / 23 feet
Maximum Elevation: 69.7m / 229 feet
Total climb: 370m / 1213 feet
Total descent: 372m / 1219 feet

The Diego Suarez to Cap Diego bike ride takes about 5 hours, allowing for many stops to enjoy the magnificent views onto the bay and hinterland. The road offers all kinds of condition: small gravel, large gravel, dirt road, old asphalt road or a simple trail. At some sections the road is impassable and it is better to push the bike. Depending on the season, the weather can be very hot and windy.

For this bike tour it is essential to have a good mountain bike. Madabike in the centre of Diego Suarez rents out bicycles on a daily basis.

Route description

The bike excursion starts in Diego Suarez. After leaving the town towards the south, one turns right in the direction of Anamakia. On the way to this small village, one passes the large Plaine d'Anamakia, a wide open space which is used as grazing land for hundreds of zebus. At the western end of Anamakia is a bar, where just across the square women sell delicious mangoes when the season is right (usually October through January).

A short bike ride from Anamakia are the large salt marshes of the Salines d'Antsahampano. After passing the fields one comes to a crossing with a police checkpoint. Going straight leads to Nosy Hara National Park via Ampasindava (16km), going right to Cap Diego (21km). From now on the condition of the road changes every couple of kilometres. After passing some houses on the left, one should turn right. About 11km later, a sign points towards Cap Diego and the French Military Cemetery (Cimetière Militaire Français, 10km).

After passing the military airfield Andrakaka, the road is in good condition again. The remaining bike ride to Cap Diego is very quick and easy. At Cap Diego one can follow the road and pass through the military grounds. Against a fee, it is possible to visit the ruins of the former military station and some caves. For those not interested in history and old buildings should just turn right before the tollbar. A trail leads through some houses to the small harbour, from where scheduled boats leave straight to Diego Suarez (2,000 Ariary per person in 2017).

Detailed route with geographic coordinates

Antsiranana - Diego Suarez
12.287617S 49.291534E


Plaine d'Anamakia
12.324852S 49.25703E


Anamakia
12.326198S 49.246456E

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Salines d'Antsahampano
12.328835S 49.213407E

Salines de Antsahampano 008.jpg
Salines de Antsahampano 002.jpg Salines de Antsahampano 010.jpg Salines de Antsahampano 005.jpg


crossing with police checkpoint
turn right
21km to Cap Diego
16km to Nosy Hara National Park via Ampasindava
12.324849S 49.188979E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 007.jpg
Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 008.jpg Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 006.jpg Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 005.jpg


12.312076S 49.188192E


12.299552S 49.186046E


12.299552S 49.186046E

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crossing with some houses
12.290536S 49.180897E and 12.290541S 49.180890E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 012.jpg
Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 016.jpg Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 017.jpg Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 014.jpg


12.283275S 49.182120E


12.269507S 49.190078E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 018.jpg


12.268729S 49.190218E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 022.jpg


12.266181S 49.195869E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 024.jpg
Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 023.jpg Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 025.jpg Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 026.jpg


12.262233S 49.193432E


12.258555S 49.197791E


12.249763S 49.201505E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 028.jpg


12.247537S 49.202063E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 030.jpg


12.245475S 49.202699E


crossing
turn right direction Cap Diego and French Military Cemetery (Cimetière Militaire Français) - 10km
12.244884 49.202488E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 031.jpg


12.245565S 49.204569E


12.246976S 49.209639E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 035.jpg

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 034.jpg Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 033.jpg Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 036.jpg


12.248743S 49.216482E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 044.jpg
Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 037.jpg Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 042.jpg Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 041.jpg


12.246247S 49.223587E


12.250409S 49.226782E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 046.jpg


12.253066S 49.228956E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 047.jpg


12.254055S 49.230331E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 049.jpg

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 052.jpg


12.250269S 49.241679E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 056.jpg

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 058.jpg


Military airfield Andrakaka
12.249429S 49.245055E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 060.jpg


12.247519S 49.255075E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 063.jpg


12.247840S 49.259268E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 066.jpg


12.248460S 49.271411E


Cap Diego
12.256091S 49.280334E

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 070.jpg
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Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 075.jpg Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 074.jpg Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 077.jpg


Back to Diego Suarez by boat

Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 088.jpg
Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 089.jpg Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 090.jpg Diego Suarez to Cap Diego by bike 091.jpg

Photos

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Madabike

More bike routes and bicycle rental: Madabike.com