Things to Do in Interlaken in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Interlaken
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak summer hiking season with all high-altitude trails fully accessible - the Hardergrat ridge and Schynige Platte routes are completely snow-free, and you'll get 14+ hours of daylight (sunrise around 6am, sunset after 8:30pm) for those ambitious full-day treks
- Wildflower meadows are at their absolute best in early August, particularly around Schynige Platte and First - the alpine roses, gentians, and edelweiss create those postcard-perfect scenes you came here for, and locals say 2026's late spring snow means flowers might peak mid-month rather than early
- Summer festival season is in full swing - the Unspunnen Festival happens every 12 years (last was 2017, so 2029 is next, unfortunately), but the weekly Jungfrau Music Festival runs through August with outdoor concerts at Harder Kulm, and Swiss National Day on August 1st brings fireworks over both lakes
- Paragliding conditions are consistently excellent - thermal updrafts are strongest between 11am-4pm, visibility typically exceeds 50 km (31 miles) on clear days, and you'll find the most reliable weather windows of the entire year for tandem flights from Beatenberg or First
Considerations
- This is absolute peak tourist season - Jungfraujoch sees 5,000+ visitors daily in August, Grindelwald-First gondola queues regularly hit 45-60 minutes by 10am, and accommodation prices are 40-60% higher than shoulder season (a three-star hotel that's CHF 120 in May will be CHF 180-200 now)
- Afternoon thunderstorms are genuinely unpredictable - those 10 rainy days don't tell the full story because storms can roll in within 20 minutes, particularly after 2pm on humid days, and they'll shut down all cable cars and outdoor activities until they pass (usually 30-90 minutes, but you're stuck wherever you are)
- The heat and humidity combination at valley level can be surprisingly uncomfortable - when it hits 23°C (74°F) with 70% humidity after a morning rain, walking around Interlaken town feels sticky and heavy, and locals escape to higher elevations (it's always 10-15°C cooler at 2,000m/6,500ft) or the lakes by midday
Best Activities in August
High-altitude hiking on fully accessible trails
August is the only month when you're genuinely guaranteed snow-free access to every major trail in the region. The Hardergrat ridge walk (24 km/15 miles, 8-10 hours) is the local bragging-rights hike - exposed and technical in sections, but the 360-degree views from Brienz to Thun are unmatched. For something less intense, the Schynige Platte panorama trail to First (16 km/10 miles, 5-6 hours) passes through those wildflower meadows at peak bloom. Start early - I mean genuinely early, like 6:30am first cable car - because afternoon storms above 2,000m (6,500ft) are no joke. The UV index of 8 at altitude feels more like 10, and there's zero shade on ridge walks.
Paragliding tandem flights from First or Beatenberg
August offers the most consistent thermal conditions of the year - those warm valley temperatures create reliable updrafts that let pilots extend flights to 30-45 minutes instead of the 15-20 you'd get in shoulder season. Flights from First (2,168m/7,113ft) give you that iconic view down onto Interlaken between the lakes, while Beatenberg launches offer longer flight times over Lake Thun. The 11am-3pm window is prime time when thermals are strongest. Worth noting that flights get cancelled maybe 2-3 days per month in August due to storms, compared to 8-10 days in June. You'll want to book 3-5 days ahead and stay flexible - operators will move you to the next available slot if weather doesn't cooperate.
Lake swimming and paddleboarding on Thun or Brienz
By August, both lakes have warmed to 19-21°C (66-70°F) - genuinely swimmable without a wetsuit, unlike the teeth-chattering 15°C (59°F) you'd face in June. Lake Brienz is that otherworldly turquoise color from glacial silt, while Thun is deeper blue and slightly warmer. Locals hit the lakes hard between 1-5pm when valley temperatures peak and the water feels refreshing rather than cold. The Bönigen beach area on Lake Brienz and Neuhaus on Lake Thun are less crowded than the main Interlaken beaches. Stand-up paddleboard rentals are everywhere and give you access to quieter coves - the water is calm most mornings before the afternoon breeze picks up around 2pm.
Via ferrata climbing routes at Mürren or Kandersteg
Via ferratas are those fixed-cable climbing routes that let you experience genuine alpine exposure without technical climbing skills - think metal rungs bolted into cliff faces with steel cables for safety. The Mürren via ferrata (2.5-3 hours, moderate difficulty) offers ridiculous views across to the Eiger North Face, while Kandersteg's Allmenalp route (4-5 hours, more challenging) includes a 40m (130ft) suspension bridge that's genuinely thrilling. August weather means reliable rock conditions - routes stay dry and rungs aren't slippery from morning frost like they can be in June. You'll want moderate fitness and zero fear of heights. The exposure is real, though you're clipped in the entire time.
Sunrise photography excursions to Schilthorn or Männlichen
August mornings offer the clearest visibility of the summer - you'll get those sharp, defined views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau massif that are often hazy by midday. The first cable cars up Schilthorn leave around 7:30am (check current schedules), getting you to the 2,970m (9,744ft) summit for the golden hour light hitting the peaks. Männlichen is easier - the first gondola from Grindelwald runs at 8am, and the Royal Walk viewpoint is a flat 10-minute stroll from the top station. Bring layers - it's typically 5-10°C (41-50°F) at sunrise even when the valley is warm. The crowds don't arrive until 10am, so you'll have these iconic viewpoints essentially to yourself for 90 minutes.
Canyon adventure tours in Saxeten or Grimsel
Canyoning is that Swiss specialty where you're rappelling down waterfalls, jumping into pools, and sliding down natural rock chutes - it's half climbing, half swimming, entirely exhilarating. August water levels are perfect - high enough for good flow and deep pools, but not the dangerous spring runoff levels. The Saxeten Gorge (3-4 hours, beginner-friendly) is closest to Interlaken with jumps up to 10m (33ft) that you can skip if they're too intense. Grimsel Canyon (5-6 hours, intermediate) is more committing with longer rappels and mandatory jumps. Water temperature is 8-12°C (46-54°F) - you'll be in a 5mm wetsuit, but it's still shockingly cold for the first five minutes. The guides are universally excellent and won't push you beyond your comfort level.
August Events & Festivals
Swiss National Day (Bundesfeier)
August 1st is Switzerland's national holiday, and Interlaken does it properly with fireworks over both lakes simultaneously around 10pm. The Höhematte park hosts a festival from 6pm onwards with traditional alphorn performances, folk music, and bratwurst stands. Locals light bonfires on the mountainsides - you'll see dozens of them dotting the slopes after dark. The Harder Kulm observation deck stays open late for the best fireworks vantage point, though you'll need to reserve the funicular (it sells out). Expect restaurants to be packed or closed entirely - book dinner reservations a week ahead or plan for a picnic.
Jungfrau Music Festival concerts at Harder Kulm
This classical music series runs weekends throughout August with outdoor concerts at the Harder Kulm panorama restaurant (1,322m/4,337ft). The combination of alpine sunset views and chamber orchestras or jazz ensembles is genuinely special - concerts start around 7pm to catch the golden hour light. Programs range from Swiss folk interpretations to contemporary classical. Tickets run CHF 45-75 and include the funicular ride up. The August 15-17 weekend typically features the headline performances. Dress warmly - it drops to 10-12°C (50-54°F) at that elevation after sunset even in August.