The Col de la Croix de Fer, at 2,067 m between the Maurienne valley and the Oisans, is one of the Alpine climbs most regularly used by the Tour de France, usually paired with the Col du Glandon a few kilometres before it.
A long, irregular climb
From Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, the road climbs about 29 km for 1,560 m of elevation gain, averaging around 5.4% — a figure that hides a very uneven gradient: sections close to 11% around Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves alternate with long, more rolling false flats. The view gradually opens onto the Aiguilles d’Arves, a landmark silhouette of the Maurienne, then onto the Grandes Rousses massif on the Oisans side.
Getting the ride right
The irregular gradient makes pacing tricky: it pays to hold something back through the easier sections to tackle the steepest ramps around Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves. A descent on the Oisans side, toward Le Rivier-d’Allemond, lets you link up with the Col du Glandon for a full loop.
When to go
June to September, as the pass can still be closed by snow in spring some years. July and August offer the best conditions, at the cost of heavier traffic during the region’s big cyclosportive events.
Good to know
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, a historic Tour de France stage town, offers a good choice of accommodation and convenient access to the Col du Télégraphe and the Galibier for a stay centred on the great climbs of the Maurienne.
