Col de la Croix de Fer 2067m.a.s.l. from Saint Jean de Maurienne:
1. Directions:
How to get to Saint Jean de Maurienne, where to stay, rent a bike or park the car, can be found here
2. Route description with suggestions for meal and/or water refueling stops:
For the route, it is essential (as always) to bring a set of lights for safety reasons, especially when passing through tunnels. We start following the map;
- 0,6km: (558m.a.s.l.) we turn onto D906 road;
- 3,3km: (528m.a.s.l.) at the second roundabout, take the second exit towards Pontamafrey;
- 5,7km: (497m.a.s.l.) continue straight on D77B and take a left turn under the viaduct after 50 meters;
- 6,1km: (485m.a.s.l.) take a left turn onto D77 towards St.Etienne de Cuines;
- 11,4km: St.Etienne de Cuines (489m.a.s.l.) take a left turn onto D927 towards Col du Glandon, which marks the beginning of the climb;
- 14,4km: Le Bochet (681m.a.s.l.) there is a drinking water intake on the right-hand side;
- 21km: Saint-Colomban-des-Villards (1080m.a.s.l.) there are two drinking water intake on the left-hand side, and on the right, there is Auberge du Glandon with tables outside;
- 31,3km: Col du Glandon (1924m.a.s.l.) - first goal achieved;

The climb profile from St.Etienne de Cuines (11,4km) to Col du Glandon (31,3km) can be found on: climbfinder.com and cyclingcols.com

- 31,6km: (1889m.a.s.l.) take a left turn onto D926 towards Col de la Croix de Fer; - 34,2km: Col de la Croix de Fer (2067m.a.s.l.)

The climb profile from Saint-Etienne-de-Cuines (11,4km) to Col de la Croix de Fer (34,2km) can be found on cyclingcols.com

- 40,2km: (1580m.a.s.l.) there is a good spot on the left-hand side for a break at Pizzeria l Aroma, with tables outside. There are several dining options between 39-41.2 km.
- 42,3km: (1474m.a.s.l.) take a left turn onto D80B towards St. Jean d'Arves - La Chal;
- 49,2km: (1261m.a.s.l.) take D926 road and after 700 meters, enter the tunnel;
- 56,7km: (783m.a.s.l.) take a sharp right turn;
- 57,3km: (734m.a.s.l.) take a left turn onto D110 road, which leads all the way to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne

- The climb to Col de la Croix de Fer via Col du Glandon is presented on the Indoor Cycling Training channel on YouTube Bike the World;
- The climb to Col du Glandon can be found on The Col Collective channel on YouTube;

Statistics on Col du Glandon are available on: procyclingstats.com and for Col de la Croix de Fer on procyclingstats.com   
Download the route in: gpx

Statistics of the ascent to Col du Glandon:
- start at an altitude of 489m.a.s.l. (11,4km) finish at 1924m.a.s.l. (31,3km)
- total elevation difference: 1435m
- distance: 20,9km
- average gradient: 7,5%
- max gradient on a 100m stretch: 13,5%

Col du Glandon in Google Street View:

Statistics of the ascent to Col de la Croix de Fer:
- start at an altitude of 1889m.a.s.l. (31,6km) finish at 2067m.a.s.l. (34,2km)
- total elevation difference: 178m
- distance: 2,6km
- average gradient: 6%
- max gradient on a 100m stretch: 7%

Col de la Croix de Fer in Google Street View: