Cycling up Col de la Croix-de-Fer
Col de la Croix de Fer © Savoie Mont Blanc - Anglade
Col de la Croix de Fer
Vue depuis le Col de la Croix de Fer
Col de la Croix de Fer Dimitri Kalioris
It is the classic road to make the ascent of Le Col de la Croix de Fer, less hard than by Le Col du Glandon. Discover the high valley of Arves, dominated by the glacier L'Etendard.
You'll follow a shady road at the start, then a more open one as you enter the Arves valley. You'll pass through the hamlets that make up the villages of Saint-Jean-d'Arves and Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves, before starting the final ascent, during which you may encounter grazing herds.
At the summit, the panorama is well worth the effort! This itinerary is equipped with milestones.
Water and refreshment points are available at Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Saint-Jean-d'Arves, Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves and Col de la Croix de Fer. The nearest repair facilities are in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Saint-Jean-d'Arves.
On arrival in the Arves valley, follow the panoramic road to the Aiguilles d'Arves mountain range, with the Montrond church in the foreground.
At the top of your ascent, the Col de la Croix de fer: panoramic view of the mythical Aiguilles d'Arves, emblem of the Arvan Villards-Les Sybelles region, the Pic de l'Etendard and the Saint Sorlin glacier, as well as the Vallée des Arves. Panoramic view of the villages of Saint-Sorlin and Saint-Jean-d'Arves.
At the summit, the panorama is well worth the effort! This itinerary is equipped with milestones.
Water and refreshment points are available at Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Saint-Jean-d'Arves, Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves and Col de la Croix de Fer. The nearest repair facilities are in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Saint-Jean-d'Arves.
On arrival in the Arves valley, follow the panoramic road to the Aiguilles d'Arves mountain range, with the Montrond church in the foreground.
At the top of your ascent, the Col de la Croix de fer: panoramic view of the mythical Aiguilles d'Arves, emblem of the Arvan Villards-Les Sybelles region, the Pic de l'Etendard and the Saint Sorlin glacier, as well as the Vallée des Arves. Panoramic view of the villages of Saint-Sorlin and Saint-Jean-d'Arves.
Itinerary
Daily duration :
2h 30m
Distance :
29.3 km
Change in altitude :
1620 m
Change in altitude (uphill) :
1620 m
Change in altitude (downhill) :
130 m
Maximum altitude :
2067 m
Type of itinerary :
En itinérance
Marked itinerary :
Balisé
Details about signage :
From Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, the ascent to the Col de la Croix de Fer is equipped with milestones that provide information on altitude, gradient percentage and number of kilometers remaining.
Tricky sections :
Watch out for the 3 successive tunnels between the twelfth and thirteenth kilometers.
Map references :
Vélo de Route" map of "La Maurienne, the world's largest cycling area" published by Maurienne Tourisme and available from all Maurienne Tourist Offices (subject to availability).
Further information
Publics :
Level black - very hard
Opening hours
From 01/06 to 30/10.
Depending on the weather.
Prices
Free access.
Information updated on 10/12/2024 by Agence alpine des territoires
