A classic of the Tour de France and the Marmotte cyclosportive, the Col de la Croix de Fer has featured in the race 13 times. It connects the Arvan Valley with the Oisans, to the south, and the Villards Valley, to the west, via the Col du Glandon, which lies a mere 4 km from the summit of the Croix de Fer.

Nestled in the shadow of the Pic de l'Étendard (3464 m) and the Glacier de Saint Sorlin, the Col de la Croix de Fer is a magnificent vantage point from which to admire the Aiguilles d'Arves and the Arvan Valley, to the east, and the summits of the Sept Laux Range, to the west.

The pass has featured in the Tour de France on 15 occasions since 1947. Until 1986 it was classified as a “category 1” climb, only being upgraded to “hors-catégorie” in 1989.