Splügen Pass, Switzerland Sep 19, 2023

Splügen Pass, Switzerland

With their twists and turns, record heights, and breathtaking vistas, mountain roads are not for the faint-hearted. Pictured here is the historic Splügen Pass, which winds its way through the Lepontine Alps, on the border of Switzerland and Italy. Although its modern version was built between 1818-1823, the Splügen Pass existed in some form as far back as Roman times. At 6,936 feet high, it is one of the highest paved roads in Europe, with 51 marked hairpin bends. It is closed in winter but, if spectacular mountainside views and picturesque lakes tickle your fancy, you can enjoy this ascent between June and mid-October. Have we "peaked" your interest yet?

© Roberto Moiola/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Sep 19, 2018Talk like a pirate—or walk the plank
Sep 19, 2019Fall for birding
Sep 19, 2020Arrr, it be Talk Like a Pirate Day
Sep 19, 2021Arrr! Can you talk like a pirate?
Sep 19, 2022State funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
Sep 19, 2024International Talk Like a Pirate Day
Sep 19, 2025Thousand Islands region, St. Lawrence River, US-Canada border

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Mar 8, 2022International Women s Day
Oct 14, 2019Canadian Thanksgiving
Oct 15, 2019The globe skimmers return
Sep 6, 2023Rethymno, Crete, Greece
Sep 30, 2024Walruses in Svalbard, Norway
Mar 28, 2025Black-naped monarch
Dec 31, 2023Happy New Years Eve!
Nov 5, 2018Ludwig’s palace
Mar 5, 2020The desert blooms
May 18, 2025International Museum Day
Oct 16, 2019Paleontology meets art
Nov 21, 2024Lion cubs, South Africa
Apr 25, 2026World Penguin Day
Jun 7, 2022Haaga Rhododendron Park
Oct 30, 2018A species worth defending
Aug 16, 2019Shining like Klondike gold
Aug 13, 2023Perseid meteor shower over Oregon
Nov 22, 2022Red fox in the Netherlands
Mar 15, 2026Pacific Rim Whale Festival
Mar 2, 2023Negratín Reservoir, Granada, Spain
Dec 18, 2020A towering view of the Pale Mountains
Apr 7, 2020Once in a pink moon
Apr 26, 2020Red skies at Ruby Beach
Dec 6, 2023Computer Science Education Week
Aug 3, 2024Three Natural Bridges, Wulong Karst, China
Feb 6, 2023Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
Aug 29, 2022Baltic Sea, Estonia
Oct 22, 2024Palazzo Zuccari, Rome
Jan 6, 2024Apple Tree Day
Apr 22, 2019Meet our fuzzy Earth Day mascot