Stage 8 of the Walker's Haute Route covers 22.6 km from La Sage to Zinal, with 1,867 m of ascent and 1,870 m of descent. The highest point is 2,889 m. Allow about 10 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
Group hut at 2,440 m by the Sorebois lift station, on the descent from the Col de Sorebois to Zinal: 30 beds in three rooms, meals from the Restaurant de Sorebois. Open when the Grimentz-Zinal lifts run.
Hotel with 18 renovated rooms in Zinal, run as a hôtel garni (breakfast only) in summer 2026. Open 13 June to 20 September 2026.
Hotel with 11 rooms and a restaurant open seven days a week in the centre of Zinal.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "listed by the tourist office" are on an official tourism or directory listing but could not be confirmed on their own website. Most huts are staffed from mid or late June to mid or late September and fill up in July and August: book ahead, some only online. Prices in Switzerland are in Swiss francs (CHF).
Emergency: call 112 (France and Switzerland) or 144 in Valais. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.