Route Col de la Croix de Fer - Col de Bellard - Croix de l'Ouillon

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From the Col de la Croix de Fer, often used by the Tour de France, enjoy a peaceful short hike on a little-used slope. Beautiful views of the surrounding area, particularly the Aiguilles d'Arves.

Details

n°362493
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.16 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 475 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 469 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,431 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,997 m
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Description of the walk

(S/E) From the Col de la Croix de Fer, descend via the path that runs below the road towards the Col du Glandon, going around the chalets on the right.

(1) Go back up the road, cross it and pass under the chairlift. Immediately take the beautiful trail that climbs along the Longe Combe stream to reach the Col de Bellard without difficulty in about 40 minutes.

(2) From the pass, climb left to the top of a small hill for a wider view.

(3) Return to the pass.

(2) Tackle the steep climb towards the Croix de l'Ouillon (south-east). Cross the trail junction at the Passage de l'Ouillon.

(4) Leave the Col de La Croix de Fer on your right and continue climbing opposite the Croix de L'Ouillon. A final climb takes you to the Croix de l'Ouillon, which has been visible for some time now.

(5) From the cross, pass under the chairlift line and join a path further down that comes from Passage de l'Ouillon (it is also possible to return to the passage in question and take a well-marked path towards Col de la Croix de Fer).

(6) Follow this path downhill (south-west) with a few steep sections, pass under the chairlift again and then on to the Truchet barns.

(7) Continue to the right to reach the Col de la Croix de Fer.
Note: After the Truchet barns, leave a path on the left that descends to Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves.
When you reach the pass, you can take a short detour to the stele overlooking the Col de la Croix de Fer.

(8) Reach the pass and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,063 m - Col de la Croix-de-Fer
  2. 1 : km 0.64 - alt. 2,023 m - Route du Col du Glandon
  3. 2 : km 2.77 - alt. 2,230 m - Col de Bellard (2233m)
  4. 3 : km 3.05 - alt. 2,260 m - Mamelon
  5. 4 : km 3.66 - alt. 2,324 m - Passage de l'Ouillon
  6. 5 : km 4.22 - alt. 2,431 m - Croix de l'Ouillon
  7. 6 : km 4.8 - alt. 2,295 m - Return trail
  8. 7 : km 6.02 - alt. 2,096 m - Granges de Truchet
  9. 8 : km 6.98 - alt. 2,089 m - Stele
  10. S/E : km 7.16 - alt. 2,063 m - Car park near the source of the - Eau d'Olle (torrent)

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 6883586

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a peaceful hike through magnificent, spectacular scenery.

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tmornus
tmornus

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The Iron Cross Pass is always very busy at weekends, but otherwise offers beautiful views

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Christian21
Christian21

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, accessible to all.
Personally, to climb up to Ouillon, I followed the classic route on the map, descending via the ridge.
I recommend following the indicated route because of a section of ski slope between the Col de Bellard and the ridge, which can be a bit difficult on the way down. The short detour to the hilltop is worth doing if you turn back at the Col de Bellard, as the view is very beautiful, but you can also enjoy it higher up.

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stef37236
stef37236

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,

Personally, I find the hike more interesting if you continue down towards the Col du Glandon from the Col de Bellard and return via the Ruisseau du Vallon from the crossroads of the two roads (Croix de Fer and Col du Glandon).

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lapostebjz513
lapostebjz513

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very good hike to get back into the swing of things. The climb up the left hill offers magnificent scenery and is well worth the detour. The descent down to the Col de la Croix de Fer allows you to pick some delicious blueberries.

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alethpretet@live.fr
alethpretet@live.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route taken in the opposite direction, which allowed us to continue on the return journey from the Bellard Pass through the pastures above the Longue Combe chalets.
Beautiful scenery and pleasant paths through flocks of sheep. The marmots are not shy. Flocks of vultures flying over the ridges enlivened the sky.
No technical difficulties.

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ClémentT
ClémentT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Unable to complete the route this winter due to snow (snow slab avalanches), we did it this summer and in the opposite direction. Personally, I recommend the opposite direction because I prefer to tackle the steep sections of a route by climbing them rather than descending them. Starting with the south face climb (via Le Truchet) means you get straight into the hard part but then enjoy a fairly gentle and steady descent from the summit of L'Ouillon to the Col de la Croix de Fer road, via Longecombe. As is often the case, it's best to set off (very) early to maximise your chances of seeing animals (especially marmots) and enjoy a beautiful sunrise over the Aiguilles d'Arves.

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ClémentT
ClémentT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We did this route in winter and therefore in the snow (with snowshoes). It loses some of its appeal because the lakes are frozen or even buried (especially the smaller ones like Lake Guichard) and the route is more difficult to follow, but the landscape is still really pleasant.
CAUTION: be sure to check the snow conditions (at the tourist office or guide office rather than online), as they can quickly become dangerous. When we reached 100 metres below the Bellard Pass, we caused a ten-metre slab of snow to break away because the snow cover had been weakened by the strong sun, even early in the morning and even on the path (covered with 1.2 metres of snow). The same thing happened on the descent on the Longue Combe path. The south face of the Ouillon should be avoided if it is snow-covered and the weather has been (very) warm and sunny for several days.

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chirat dominique
chirat dominique

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike to get back into shape and warm up your legs

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iza07
iza07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful route.
Magnificent scenery at Col de Bellard and the summit of Ouillon.

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gegostet
gegostet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant family walk with beautiful views of the surrounding peaks. It's true that this year the weather was ideal for hikers

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serbert
serbert

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful hike. I started at the Col du Glandon, headed towards the Col de la Croix de Fer, then on to the Croix de l'Ouillon via Le Truchet. The view from the summit of L'Ouillon over the Arvan and Villards valleys is magnificent. If you set off early, you'll see lots of marmots, which aren't shy at all.

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AUDUC
AUDUC

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike, the climb up to Ouillon offers a 360° view of the surrounding mountains. Remember to bring sunscreen and a hat or cap.

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