Small car park at the Col de la Croix de Fer to park your vehicle.
(S/E) From the car park, head south-west on the track that leads to a second car park (Col de la Croix de Fer Ouest). Take the path on the left towards Refuge de l'Étendard and follow a logging track that climbs moderately up the left side of the mountain. A few ski lifts criss-cross the landscape.
Pass above the Choseaux chairlift and take the path on the right towards Col Nord des Lacs.
(1) At Plan du Rouet, take the climb on the right towards Refuge de l'Étendard.
(2) Reach Le Carrelet, where you should continue to the right on a fairly steep slope, still heading towards Refuge de l'Étendard.
(3) Pass Tévaroz and climb up a route that makes a wide circular loop to the right.
After crossing a few snowfields (depending on the season, there may be more or less snow; at the end of June, there was still quite a lot of snow), you will arrive at the Col Nord des Lacs. Below (south-west), you can see the Refuge de l'Étendard.
(4) From the pass, descend towards the Refuge de l'Étendard, which is within sight. Head downhill, roughly following the snowfields. If there is no snow, follow the well-marked path that zigzags towards the refuge. Pass through a crossroads called Les 4 Chemins, continuing to follow the signs for "Refuge de l'Étendard".
(5) Arrive at the refuge, where a short break is in order. Then, from the refuge, climb north/north-east to reach Les Tufs.
(6) At the "Les Tufs" sign, turn left towards Col de la Croix de Fer.
(7) At a place called "Lazard", continue towards Col de la Croix de Fer, following the path that descends, sometimes on the road, sometimes on a trail, taking a few shortcuts if necessary. At Le Replat, continue to follow the signs for "Col de la Croix de Fer".
Go to the first car park and then the second to return to your vehicle (S/E).
