This loop route begins and ends at the Col de la Croix de Fer in Savoie, a legendary spot, especially for cyclists.
The trail passes two stunning lakes, Blanc and Bramant, and leads to the Étendard Refuge. From there, you can continue to the Saint-Sorlin Glacier and even ascend to peaks above 3,000 meters. The 9 km route involves a 400-meter ascent, requiring a moderate level of fitness. Although the track itself poses no technical challenges, it can be somewhat monotonous.
The Trail
The trail follows a well-maintained path ideal for trail running and cycling (even a mountain bike will suffice). The track is compacted well enough that you could reach the lakes with a small city car, though fortunately, driving up is not permitted! If you have sturdy pushchairs, you could even bring along little ones.
On our first attempt, we started from the Col de la Croix de Fer on the right side of the loop, walking about 3 km before turning back to the starting point. This served as a warm-up for our holiday hike, helping us stretch our legs and acclimate to the mountain environment. Displeased with the trail, we decided to tackle the ‘Circuit des Lacs’ from the left side of the loop. In hindsight, this was a mistake.
Why Was It a Mistake?
We should have started with this route before tackling the more challenging hikes, but we chose to do it the day after an epic trek (the ‘Col de Sambuis loop’). With the bar set so high, this route, while pleasant, felt rather underwhelming. The left side of the loop is even less engaging than the right, and the mechanical installations occasionally mar the otherwise nice views. Additionally, the journey to the lakes is longer from this side. Fortunately, we found opportunities to explore the rocks near the lakes, which provided some excitement. As we continued, we eventually reached higher elevations.
The Col Nord des Lacs
At an altitude of 2,533 meters, this is the highest point on the route. The 5 km ascent to this point was quite challenging, making us question whether we’d ever reach the top. The views from here are calming, offering a view of the Refuge de l’Étendard below and, to the left, the Bramant and Blanc lakes, with several peaks visible in the distance.
Dad's Blunder
We took advantage of this moment to enjoy a picnic lunch. I had made sure to include Vlad’s favorite ham, unlike the previous day (see ‘Col du Sambuis en boucle’). I was proud when Vlad found it and looked at me with gratitude—until he realized I had forgotten the bread. "Never mind," he muttered, likely accustomed to his dad's blunders. So, we had our meal without bread but enjoyed the magnificent view.
The Right Side of the Loop
This side of the loop, starting from the Col de la Croix de Fer, is far more enjoyable than the left. Though the track remains less pleasant to walk on compared to rocky paths, it is possible to take shortcuts. There are also several informative signposts along the way. The views on this side are much more captivating.
Traffic Jam with the ‘Natives’
A delightful surprise was encountering the local wildlife, who observed us with an air of curiosity, perhaps assessing our intentions. We were amused to witness a minor traffic jam caused by cyclists not adhering to the local ‘highway code’.
Conclusions
We initially chose this route to admire the lakes, which are a highlight of the area. However, our primary goal was to scout the route for future hikes to summits like the Aiguille Noire (2,997 meters) or the Cime de la Clochette (3,240 meters). Unfortunately, walking on a track for over 4 km before transitioning to a genuine mountain path was beyond our mental and physical endurance. Thus, we sought an alternative route.
Practical Advice
For those planning to hike in the area, finding parking at the Col de la Croix de Fer can be challenging unless you arrive early. From 9 am in summer, parking becomes increasingly difficult. The routes themselves pose no technical difficulties and require no special equipment (ordinary sports shoes are sufficient), but a reasonable level of fitness is needed for some trails. For those aiming to reach higher summits, we recommend biking to the Étendard Refuge, then switching to climbing gear for the ascent. Enjoy your adventure!
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