Having dropped down to 750m as we pass the Lac du Verney its uphill all the way back to 2064m at the Col du Croix de Fer, but spread over about 25km so it’Äôs ¬Ýa fairly easy climb.

For the first 10km or so we’Äôre passing through the Burges forest but once over about 1500m the trees thin out and the route takes us along ¬Ýthe side of the Lac de Grand Maison. By the end of the lake it’Äôs only a short hop to the turnoff for the Col du Glandon. The Glandon is not actually on our route but it’Äôs only a kilometer detour and worth doing. The Col de Croix de Fer ¬Ýand a chance for a break is just a few kilometers further.

The descent down to St Jean de Maurienne doesn’Äôt look far on the map compared with the ascent but the winding nature of the road means it takes as long if not longer.

The road surface varies from good to fair but is generally better on the descent to St Jean because of the ski resort, St Sorlin D’ÄôArves, and ¬Ýthat uses it