Splügen Pass, Switzerland Sep. 19, 2023

Splügen Pass, Switzerland

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 the 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

Farewell, Ma’am
Sep. 19, 2024International Talk Like a Pirate Day
Sep. 19, 2025Thousand Islands region, St. Lawrence River, USA-Canada border

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Nov. 28, 2025Val Brandet, Brescia, Lombardy, Italy
Jul. 25, 2025Colourful houses of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Fourth rock from the sun
Mar. 5, 2025Khao Sok National Park in Thailand
Dec. 18, 2023Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Nov. 2, 2023Death Valley National Park, California
Wind-powered ice racing
Mar. 30, 2026Demoiselle cranes, India
Small but mighty
Sep. 9, 2023Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand
Locals know this place simply as ‘the Met’
Mar. 15, 2024Abbotsford, British Columbia
One giant leap for mankind
An island made from a vow
Mar. 18, 2025Red Rocks, Sedona, Arizona, United States
Dec. 19, 2024Sibiu Christmas Market, Romania
Feb. 20, 2024Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, UK
Piecing together a better tomorrow
Butterfly, fly away
Jul. 12, 2025Thomsons gazelles, Maasai Mara, Kenya
Mar. 25, 2024Happy Holi!
Mar. 13, 2025Holi celebration in Jaipur, India
Sep. 4, 2025The 50th Toronto International Film Festival
You might be a red-necked grebe if…
Dec. 8, 2025Christmas lights on buildings of Domaso, Lake Como, Italy
Frosty Finland
International Archaeology Day
Isn’t this view mesmerizing?
Sep. 24, 2023World Rivers Day
Blurring the lines with wearable art