Col de la Croix de Fer (Pass of the Iron Cross):
The Maurienne Valley has several of the most famous paved climbs in France (Iseran, Galibier, Madeleine, Glandon, Mont Cenis, etc). Usually the first above 2000 metres to open every year is Col de la Croix de Fer (2067m). When I saw that it had just opened I rushed to visit and hope for a snow wall or two. I kept the route simple this time, climbing the direct east side from St. Jean-de-Maurienne (map at bottom), so I could take photos and do little video.
I would also visit the still closed Col du Glandon. I’ve blogged many times about these climbs so I am not going to write much, just post too many photos (including some with a drone) and the video,
Here’s a post that maps and details 6 different paved ways to climb Col de la Croix de Fer (including via Glandon).
I am not exactly Martin Scorsese, but here is a little video just for fun. Snow walls at the end!
A bunch of photos, some taken with a drone:
Col du Glandon
I descended the few kilometres from Croix de Fer to the officially closed Col du Glandon. The road in fact looked quite clear. I considered going down and making a loop of the ride, but I saw several work trucks doing something lower down and decided to take a few photos and double back. Beautiful.
Such a fun ride. Again, if you want more detailed posts see the link near the top. Today’s ride was me indulging my photo hobby.
Note, in the map below, where the route splits I took the little Route Panoramique quieter, higher road for a few kilometres before St Sorlin – but the main road down.
