Splügen Pass, Switzerland Sep 16, 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 2,114-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

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

More Desktop Wallpapers:

The Arc de Triomphe of the east
Oct 18, 2023Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Jan 31, 2024Rietvlei Nature Reserve, South Africa
Where we go to play
Mar 24, 2026Cherry blossoms at East Lake Cherry Blossom Park, Wuhan, China
Jan 15, 2025Chital, Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Apr 4, 2025Humayuns Tomb, Delhi
Jun 26, 2025Horse Head Rock, New South Wales, Australia
Santa slalom
May 6, 2024The Roaches ridge in the Peak District, England
Oct 28, 2025The Gothic Gate in the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, Czechia
Sep 19, 2025Thousand Islands region, St. Lawrence River, USA-Canada border
Stairway to where?
May 18, 2024Natural History Museum, London, England
Mar 7, 2024Roques de Benet, Els Ports Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain
Aug 23, 2023Cenotaphs, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Aug 18, 2024Huntington Beach Pier, California, USA
Dec 1, 2023Ross Sea, Antarctica
Mar 1, 2025Sandstone hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, United States
Season of light in the City of Light
A city so nice they made it twice
Sep 15, 2024Annas hummingbird, Santa Cruz, California, USA
Feb 14, 2025Happy Valentines Day!
Jun 21, 2025International Day of Yoga
May 18, 2025International Museum Day
Oct 31, 2023Füzér Castle in the Zemplén Mountains, Hungary
Jun 6, 2024Les Braves monument, Omaha Beach, Normandy, France
Dec 29, 2023Oud-West neighbourhood, Amsterdam, Netherlands
The top of Tennessee
Mar 11, 2024Sleeping koala