{"id":93231,"date":"2026-01-31T18:01:05","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T16:01:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/centcols.org\/?p=93231"},"modified":"2026-02-03T20:11:55","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T18:11:55","slug":"col-du-vallon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/centcols.org\/en\/col-du-vallon\/","title":{"rendered":"The Col du Vallon"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Col du Vallon or Col des Tufs (2525m, FR-73-2530<\/a>, IGN Topo 53 3434-O 048-035) is a superb mule track which opens out to the south-west of the Col de la Croix de Fer (FR-73-2064a<\/a>) towards the Pic de l'\u00c9tendard. It offers magnificent views of the Sept-Laux massif to the west and, beyond the pass, the magnificent Aiguilles d'Arves to the east.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Col du Vallon piste seen from the Col de Bellard, to the north<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n


From the Col du Vallon, a loop of just 5km takes you over two more passes at over 2000m, while skirting the shores of two lakes fed by the melting Saint-Sorlin glacier.
Leave Saint-Sorlin d'Arves and climb the road to the Col de la Croix de Fer at 2064m. At the summit, turn left onto a wide track that runs along the side of the mountain almost flat (R1).

At 2069, the real climb begins: 3 km at an average of 15.4%. The track is in good condition, wide and rolling, but the gradient is very steep and often requires you to walk. At the summit, the Pic de l'\u00c9tendard (3464m) can be seen to the south, surrounded by sparkling glaciers. Descend (R1) for around 300m and turn left onto a narrow path (S2) that leads to the Col Nord des Lacs (2533m). FR-73-2533a<\/a>) nearby. The view to the east is magnificent, while below to the west nestles the deep blue Grand Lac.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Meeting at the summit! In the background: the Saint-Sorlin glacier below the Pic de l'\u00c9tendard. Behind the mule, you can see the start of the S2 trail leading to the Col Sud des Lacs. Below, the Grand Lac and the track that runs along its western edge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Descend the path (S2) that runs along the side of the mountain above the eastern lake. At the end of the path, turn left to easily reach the Col Sud des Lacs (2476m). FR-73-2476b<\/a>). Retrace your steps slightly, cross the dam at Lac Blanc and follow the R1 track along the west bank of the Grand Lac.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Track R1 on the west bank of the Grand Lac towards the refuge de l'\u00c9tendard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The Argenti\u00e8re peaks as a backdrop to the Grand Lac<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

You arrive at the \u00c9tendard refuge, where you can order drinks and a meal. A short climb (R1) takes you back to the Col du Vallon. The return to the Col de la Croix de Fer is easy on the bike (R1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four passes over 2000m in 17km, with some stunning scenery to boot. The Col du Vallon is well worth the diversions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ren\u00e9 Poty<\/p>\n\n\n

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IGN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Le col du Vallon ou col des Tufs (2525m, FR-73-2530, IGN Topo 53 3434-O 048-035) est un passage muletier superbe qui s’ouvre au sud-ouest du col de la Croix de Fer (FR-73-2064a) en direction du Pic de l’\u00c9tendard. Il offre des points de vue grandioses sur le massif des Sept-Laux \u00e0 l’ouest et, au-del\u00e0 du […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":682,"featured_media":93261,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[308],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-93231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cols-en-vrac"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nLe col du Vallon - Club des Cent Cols<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/centcols.org\/en\/col-du-vallon\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Le col du Vallon - Club des Cent Cols\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Le col du Vallon ou col des Tufs (2525m, FR-73-2530, IGN Topo 53 3434-O 048-035) est un passage muletier superbe qui s’ouvre au sud-ouest du col de la Croix de Fer (FR-73-2064a) en direction du Pic de l’\u00c9tendard. 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