Col de la Croix-de-Fer

French Alps, France

Gradient:

<4%

4–7%

7–10%

10–12%

>12%

Approach route

APPROACH ROUTES

Col de la Croix-de-Fer

from Saint-Jean-d'Arves

CAT 1

Distance

14.3km

Elevation

832m

Avg %

5.8%

Max %

12.2%

<4%4–7%7–10%10–12%>12%

Col de la Croix-de-Fer

from Saint-Colomban-des-Villards

CAT 2

Distance

5.0km

Elevation

327m

Avg %

6.6%

Max %

10.5%

<4%4–7%7–10%10–12%>12%

Col de la Croix-de-Fer is a Category 1 ascent in the French Alps, France, topping out at 2 067 m. The Saint-Jean-d'Arves approach is the hardest — 14.3 km at 5.8%, 832 m gained, maxing at 12.2%. The steepest kilometre averages 11.6%, around km 9.1. It can also be climbed from Saint-Colomban-des-Villards (5.0 km at 6.6%): 2 measured approaches in all, each profiled kilometre-by-kilometre against Copernicus GLO-30 elevation data. On the Fiets scale it rates 5.9. Above the treeline the summit holds snow well into spring, so the dependable riding window runs roughly June to October.