Splügen Pass, Switzerland Sep. 19, 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 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:

Oct. 28, 2023Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
The Coast of Death
Mar. 22, 2025Happy World Water Day!
A light in the coastal darkness
Dec. 11, 2025International Mountain Day
Jul. 30, 2025International Day of Friendship
Jul. 16, 2024Dinosaur Provincial Park
Aug. 7, 2025Monoliths of the Mingan Archipelago, Quebec
Aug. 30, 2025International Whale Shark Day
Mar. 25, 2024Happy Holi!
May 1, 2024Lei Day
Apr. 29, 2024Fujian Tulou, China
Step back in time...
Feb. 10, 2024Happy Lunar New Year!
Dec. 13, 2025Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California, United States
Feb. 14, 2025Happy Valentines Day!
May 28, 2025World Otter Day
Standing on glass 275+ metres in the air
Oct. 17, 2025Jasper Dark Sky Festival
Aug. 19, 2025Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Nov. 15, 2025Irohazaka Road in autumn, Nikko, Tochigi, Japan
Nov. 1, 2025Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
A road not for the faint of heart
Jun. 16, 2024Happy Fathers Day!
Isn’t this view mesmerizing?
Mar. 12, 2024Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
Jan. 30, 2025Vancouver International Boat Show
Oct. 16, 2024Fossils of belemnites and ammonites, Jurassic Coast, UK
Oct. 7, 2025Fall colours below Mount Sneffels near Ridgway, Colorado, United States
Jan. 15, 2024Northern Lights