La boucle des cols
Between Oisans and Savoie this loop takes you to cross the passes of Glandon and Croix de Fer. As they tackle these legendary passes, cyclists greet each other. They share the same struggle: it's tough, it's long, but so beautiful!
This route is available in the “Cyclo en Oisans” guide (Oisans Tourisme)
Departure / Arrival (loop): Bourg d’Oisans 720 m
Duration: 7 hour 30 minutes
Distance: 150 km
Maximum altitude: 2071 m
Minimum altitude: 463 m
Positive elevation: 3820 m
Maximum slope: 13%
Cartography: Michelin Department Map of Isère, Savoie n° 333
ROUTE
From Bourg d'Oisans, take the D1091 towards Grenoble.
In Rochetaillée follow the direction “Allemond / Col du Glandon - Col de la Croix de Fer".
Coming out ofAllemond, climb the 2 bends to reach the top of the Verney dam. At the end of the dam, we find the direction “Col du Glandon - Col de la Croix de Fer”along the Verney lake.
At the end of the lake, we begin a sustained climb to the Rivier d'AllemondAt Rivier, we take a breather before descending to the bottom of the valley and continuing with an athletic climb to the Grand'Maison lake.
Arriving at the lake, the steep valley gives way to beautiful mountain pastures. We continue more peacefully until the Col du Glandon (1924 m).
Cross the pass and continue on the D927 to Saint-Étienne-de-Cuines, then once in the center, turn off for Sainte-Marie-de-Cuines via the D74. Go under the highway then turn right onto the D1006 towards Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. At the first roundabout, follow the signs for "Saint Jean de Maurienne / Col de la Croix de Fer » via the D906. Cross Saint Jean de Maurienne following the direction “Vallée de l'Arvan”. To go to Albiez-le-Jeune follow the signs “Torino / St-Michel-de-Maurienne”, then once in the industrial zone you will find the direction “Albiez-le-Jeune” (D81).
Go up to Albiez-le-Jeune via the D80, pass Albiez-le-Vieux and the Col du Mollard (1638 m) until you reach the D926 which you follow until Col de la Croix de Fer.
Arrived at Col de la Croix de Fer (2067 m), you are at the top of your route. All you have to do now is let yourself go down to Bourg d'Oisans by following the direction of “Col du Glandon" then "Allemond"We then find the route taken on the way out.
VARIATION: Through the Arvan valley
From Saint Jean de Maurienne, take the direction “City Center / Arvan Valley”. At the roundabout decorated with a giant Opinel knife, follow the D926, direction “col de la Croix de Fer”. We gain 10 km compared to the Col du Mollard (D80) but crossing tunnels and frequent roadworks can make this journey more tedious.
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Distance: 15 km
Duration: 2 hour
Positive elevation: 922 m
Departure / Arrival (loop): Bourg d’Oisans 720 m
Duration: 7 hour 30 minutes
Distance: 150 km
Maximum altitude: 2071 m
Minimum altitude: 463 m
Positive elevation: 3820 m
Maximum slope: 13%
Cartography: Michelin Department Map of Isère, Savoie n° 333
ROUTE
From Bourg d'Oisans, take the D1091 towards Grenoble.
In Rochetaillée follow the direction “Allemond / Col du Glandon - Col de la Croix de Fer".
Coming out ofAllemond, climb the 2 bends to reach the top of the Verney dam. At the end of the dam, we find the direction “Col du Glandon - Col de la Croix de Fer”along the Verney lake.
At the end of the lake, we begin a sustained climb to the Rivier d'AllemondAt Rivier, we take a breather before descending to the bottom of the valley and continuing with an athletic climb to the Grand'Maison lake.
Arriving at the lake, the steep valley gives way to beautiful mountain pastures. We continue more peacefully until the Col du Glandon (1924 m).
Cross the pass and continue on the D927 to Saint-Étienne-de-Cuines, then once in the center, turn off for Sainte-Marie-de-Cuines via the D74. Go under the highway then turn right onto the D1006 towards Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. At the first roundabout, follow the signs for "Saint Jean de Maurienne / Col de la Croix de Fer » via the D906. Cross Saint Jean de Maurienne following the direction “Vallée de l'Arvan”. To go to Albiez-le-Jeune follow the signs “Torino / St-Michel-de-Maurienne”, then once in the industrial zone you will find the direction “Albiez-le-Jeune” (D81).
Go up to Albiez-le-Jeune via the D80, pass Albiez-le-Vieux and the Col du Mollard (1638 m) until you reach the D926 which you follow until Col de la Croix de Fer.
Arrived at Col de la Croix de Fer (2067 m), you are at the top of your route. All you have to do now is let yourself go down to Bourg d'Oisans by following the direction of “Col du Glandon" then "Allemond"We then find the route taken on the way out.
VARIATION: Through the Arvan valley
From Saint Jean de Maurienne, take the direction “City Center / Arvan Valley”. At the roundabout decorated with a giant Opinel knife, follow the D926, direction “col de la Croix de Fer”. We gain 10 km compared to the Col du Mollard (D80) but crossing tunnels and frequent roadworks can make this journey more tedious.
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Distance: 15 km
Duration: 2 hour
Positive elevation: 922 m
