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:

Dec. 30, 2025Whooper swans, Kotoku Pond, Japan
Leaf-peeping Southern style
Jan. 16, 2025Pinnacles National Park, California, United States
Mar. 28, 2024Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, China
Apr. 17, 2024Black bear cub emerges into spring
Nov. 23, 2024Fibonacci Day
Mar. 19, 2024Spring equinox
Feb. 14, 2025Happy Valentines Day!
Mar. 2, 2025Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains National Park, NSW, Australia
May 8, 2025World Donkey Day
Jan. 13, 2024Road to Hana, Maui, Hawaii, United States
Jun. 8, 2024Canadian Grand Prix 2024
Napping near the North Pole
May 18, 2024International Museum Day
Nov. 3, 2025World Jellyfish Day
Jul. 11, 2024World Population Day
A bevy of buzzers
Warm light through an ancient forest
Dec. 30, 2023Daiichi Tadami River Bridge, Fukushima, Japan
A legend sprung from the ground
Mar. 3, 2025World Wildlife Day
Mar. 9, 2025Daylight saving time begins
Mar. 23, 2025World Meteorological Day
The ‘potato chip bird’
Nov. 9, 2023Birch trees, Drammen, Norway
Big rocks, big heads, still counting?
Mar. 21, 2026International Day of Forests
Feb. 26, 2026Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States
Sep. 16, 2023Oktoberfest begins
Nov. 17, 2023Copper Falls State Park, Wisconsin