Splügen Pass, Switzerland Sep 16, 2023

With their twists and turns, record heights and breathtaking vistas, mountain roads like Umling La and Pico de Veleta are steeped in history. One such route of the Lepontine Alps—Splügen Pass—is pictured here today. Located on the border of Switzerland and Italy, the 2114-metre-high pass is one of the highest paved roads in Europe. Although its modern form was built between 1818-1823, the Splügen Pass is rich in history with links to Roman times. The pass has been much quieter since the nearby San Bernardino road tunnel opened in 1967. The now quiet pass, which has 51 marked hairpin bends, remains closed during winter. So, if spectacular mountainside views and picturesque lakes tickle your fancy, you can enjoy this ascent between June and mid-October. Has your interest in a Swiss-sational time "peaked" yet?

© Roberto Moiola/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Sep 16, 2024Wallabies at sunrise, Australia
Sep 16, 2025Nighttime view over the Gulf Coast

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Mar 23, 2025Lightning and storm clouds at sunset near Bowman, Nebraska, United States
Oct 10, 2023Mount Sopris, Colorado, USA
Aug 24, 2023Shark Fin Cove, California, USA
Jan 2, 2024Jaswant Thada and Mehrangarh Fort, India
Jan 8, 2026Yellow-chevroned parakeets
Apr 26, 2025Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario, Canada
Aug 17, 2024Alfanzina lighthouse, Algarve, Portugal
Aug 5, 2025Tide pools in La Jolla, California, United States
Aug 19, 2025Flysch in Zumaia, Basque Country, Spain
Jun 26, 2025Horse Head Rock, New South Wales, Australia
Apr 2, 2026Wildflower bloom, Central Valley, California, United States
May 20, 2025Honey bee on lavender flowers
Jan 25, 2026Burns National Heritage Park, Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland
Feb 20, 2026Horsetail Fall in Yosemite National Park, California, United States
Sep 4, 2023Marshes of Bourges, France
Oct 17, 2023Torra di a Parata, Corsica, France
Mar 2, 2024Modica, Sicily, Italy
Feb 26, 2025Castle Stalker, Argyll, Scotland
Mar 8, 2026The Brocken, Harz National Park, Germany
Apr 14, 2025Atlantic spotted dolphins near Santa Maria Island, Azores, Portugal
Feb 26, 2024Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
Sep 5, 2024Toronto, Canada
Feb 22, 2026Mam Tor, Derbyshire, England
Jun 2, 2024Ploumanach Lighthouse, France
Mar 26, 2024Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
Jan 28, 2025Short-eared owl
Nov 6, 2023Lago Pehoé, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Dec 15, 2024Lake Misurina, Dolomites, Italy
Apr 11, 2024Dragon waterfall, Venezuela
Nov 10, 2023Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA