Things to Do in Interlaken in June
June weather, activities, events & insider tips
June Weather in Interlaken
Is June Right for You?
Advantages
- Absolutely prime hiking season - trails are snow-free and wildflowers are exploding across alpine meadows at elevations around 1,800 m (5,900 ft). The Schynige Platte trail becomes a botanical garden in June, and you'll actually have room to breathe on popular routes compared to the July-August crush.
- Extended daylight gives you nearly 16 hours of usable light - sunrise around 5:30am, sunset after 9pm. This matters tremendously when you're planning a Jungfraujoch day trip or multi-stage hike. You can start early, avoid midday crowds, and still have evening light for lakeside walks.
- Paragliding conditions are consistently excellent - thermal activity peaks between 11am-4pm without the intense turbulence you get in July-August. Launch sites at Harder Kulm and Beatenberg operate daily when weather cooperates, which happens roughly 20-22 days in June.
- Water activities ramp up significantly - Lake Thun and Lake Brienz warm to 15-17°C (59-63°F), which is actually swimmable for those acclimated to alpine lakes. Kayak and SUP rentals open for the season, and river rafting on the Lütschine hits ideal flow rates from snowmelt without being dangerously high.
Considerations
- Weather unpredictability is real - that 70% humidity combines with variable conditions to create sudden afternoon thunderstorms, particularly in the last two weeks of June. You might wake up to brilliant sunshine and be sheltering from hail by 2pm. This isn't occasional; it's the pattern about 40% of June days.
- Prices spike during the second half of June as European school holidays begin rolling in. Accommodations that cost CHF 180-220 in early June jump to CHF 280-350 by June 20th. If your dates are flexible, the first 10 days of June offer substantially better value.
- Higher elevation attractions like Jungfraujoch can still experience winter conditions - temperatures at 3,454 m (11,332 ft) hover around -5°C to -10°C (23°F to 14°F), and viewing platforms occasionally close for snow clearing. The trip is spectacular, but pack proper winter layers even when it's 22°C (72°F) in town.
Best Activities in June
Jungfraujoch Railway Excursions
June hits the sweet spot for the Top of Europe experience - clear visibility runs about 65-70% of days before July cloud cover increases, and you'll encounter maybe half the crowds of peak summer. The journey from Interlaken Ost takes 2.5 hours each way with stops at Kleine Scheidegg. Morning departures between 7-9am typically offer the clearest views. The temperature differential is dramatic - you'll leave town in shorts and arrive in legitimate alpine conditions at -5°C to -10°C (23°F to 14°F). Worth noting that altitude affects people differently; the 3,454 m (11,332 ft) elevation causes mild symptoms in about 20% of visitors.
Alpine Hiking Routes
June is genuinely the best hiking month in the Bernese Oberland. Trails between 1,200-2,400 m (3,900-7,900 ft) are snow-free and wildflower meadows peak during the second and third weeks. The Hardergrat ridge trail offers exposed hiking with 360-degree views, though it requires a solid fitness level and head for heights. For something more accessible, the Schynige Platte to First traverse takes 5-6 hours and showcases the famous alpine flora. Trails dry out by mid-morning after overnight rain, and afternoon thunderstorms typically hold off until 3-4pm. The Swiss Alpine Club huts open for the season in early June, enabling multi-day treks.
Tandem Paragliding Flights
June delivers consistently strong thermal conditions without the excessive heat and turbulence of July-August. Launch sites at Beatenberg operate nearly daily when conditions allow, with flights typically running 10am-5pm. The 15-20 minute flights descend from around 1,200 m (3,900 ft) down to landing zones near Interlaken, offering views across both lakes and the Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau massif. That 70% humidity actually helps thermal generation. Motion sensitivity varies - about 15% of people experience mild nausea during thermaling, but pilots can adjust flying style if you mention concerns before launch.
Lake Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz warm to 15-17°C (59-63°F) by mid-June, making water activities genuinely pleasant rather than endurance tests. The turquoise color of Lake Brienz is particularly intense in June due to glacial meltwater carrying rock flour. Rental operations open for the season around June 1st. Lake Thun offers calmer conditions and multiple beach access points; Lake Brienz is more dramatic but can get windy by afternoon. Morning sessions between 8-11am typically provide glass-smooth water before thermal winds develop. A 2-hour paddle along either shoreline covers roughly 6-8 km (3.7-5 miles) at a relaxed pace.
Lauterbrunnen Valley Waterfall Circuit
Snowmelt pushes the valley's 72 waterfalls to peak flow in June - Staubbach Falls drops 297 m (974 ft) in a single plunge with enough volume that you'll feel the mist from 50 m (160 ft) away. The valley floor bike path connects Lauterbrunnen village to Trümmelbach Falls, the only glacier waterfalls inside a mountain accessible by tunnel. The 10 interior falls drain the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, carrying up to 20,000 liters per second in June. The entire circuit covers roughly 12 km (7.5 miles) if you bike, or you can hike sections and use the PostBus for connections. Trümmelbach requires decent mobility - you'll climb about 200 stairs inside the mountain.
Grindelwald First Cliff Walk and Mountain Activities
The First summit area at 2,168 m (7,113 ft) offers the cliff walk platform, mountain cart track, and zip line - all newly popular and less crowded in June than peak summer. The gondola from Grindelwald takes 25 minutes and delivers you to activities plus hiking trails toward Bachalpsee, a mountain lake that reflects the Wetterhorn when conditions cooperate. June typically offers that reflection roughly 60% of morning visits before afternoon wind picks up. The cliff walk platform extends 45 m (148 ft) over the void and handles heights better than Harder Kulm's viewing platform. Mountain carts descend 3 km (1.9 miles) on a dedicated track - genuinely fun and suitable for ages 8+.
June Events & Festivals
Greenfield Festival
Switzerland's largest open-air rock and metal festival takes over Interlaken for three days in mid-June, typically around June 11-13. The festival grounds sit between the two lakes with mountain backdrop, hosting 50,000+ attendees and international headliners across multiple stages. Even if you're not attending, expect accommodations to be fully booked and prices elevated during this specific weekend. The town transforms - significantly younger crowds, late-night energy, and festival-goers camping in designated areas. If this isn't your scene, actively avoid this weekend or book months in advance.
Unspunnenfest
This traditional Swiss alpine festival occurs only every 12 years, and 2026 is NOT a festival year - the next one runs in 2029. However, the Unspunnen stone throwing competitions and smaller alpine festivals do pop up in various Bernese Oberland villages during June weekends. These showcase traditional wrestling, alphorn playing, flag throwing, and yodeling. They're genuinely local events rather than tourist productions, though visitors are welcome. Check with the tourist office for specific weekend schedules as they vary annually.