Col de la Croix de Fer via Col du Mollard
By Will • Oct 1st, 2008 • Category: Climbs, Cycling
I had never done the east side of Col de la Croix de Fer, in part because the route includes 4 tunnels in the middle – and I hate tunnels. 
But by taking an alternate route up Col du Mollard – I could rejoin the classic route 15 kms from the top – and miss all four tunnels. This adds over 400 metres of climb – a fair price in my book.
From the start to the top of Croix de Fer was about 41 kms with just under 2000 metres climb – and a 6 kilometre descent in the middle.
Col du Mollard was a very pleasant surprise. The first 10 or so kilometres was through the woods and had roughly 40(!) hairpins. Zoom the map near Villargrondran. Very cool.
From the top of Mollard are great mountain views as well as ski lifts from the many ski stations in the area.
I could see a couple of the tunnels as I descended Mollard and at Belleville rejoined the main route.
After passing through ski stations, the last seven kilometres get interesting. The road hairpins up the side of the mountain to the Col.
At the top, I added some layers and descended down to Col du Glandon and back to the valley below.
A great loop up high in October!
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Will is Happiest while cycling uphill. More enthusiastic than talented, his 2013 Challenge is to cycle a 150 Cols (mountain passes), slowly -- and to just enjoy.
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I’m looking out for your first pictures above 2000m with snow. What about a self-portrait of Will and an anonymous snowman on top of …? Very soon I guess. Amazing how the colors have changed compared to June-July. And the tourist office guy clearly abandoned his cabane on top of Croix de Fer. He’s way not as brave as you. Thanks for another beautiful post.
[...] are a few ways to cycle up Col du Mollard – for the direct, hairpin-filled route see here – it’s a great “long-cut” to Col de la Croix de [...]