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:

Park of the Monsters
Jan 1, 2026Happy New Year!
A warm hug in the icy north
Canoeing in solitude
Aug 21, 2023Skógafoss waterfall, Iceland
A proud symbol of the City of Nizams
Feb 14, 2026Happy Valentines Day!
Finding beauty in ruins
Heaven meets Earth!
Sep 7, 2024Ganesh Chaturthi
Dec 6, 2024Finnish Independence Day
Apr 3, 2025Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
May 22, 2025International Day for Biological Diversity
Jun 16, 2025World Sea Turtle Day
Apr 20, 2025Easter
An island park for everyone
Feb 16, 2025Happy World Whale Day!
Jan 30, 2026St. Michaels Mount in Marazion, Cornwall, England
Apr 23, 2024World Book Day
Aug 29, 2024Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain
Jan 7, 2025Moeraki Boulders, South Island, New Zealand
Clouds dance above Sundance
May 29, 2025Miravet, Catalonia, Spain
Apr 4, 2026Black grouse males, Estonia
Sep 28, 2024Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida, USA
Feb 6, 2025Scottish Blackface sheep, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Amber waves of grain
Dec 23, 2024Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh
On the open ocean road
Jan 30, 2025Rolands Breach, Spain