Splügen Pass, Switzerland 19 Sep 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, over 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

Farewell Ma’am
19 Sep 2024International Talk Like a Pirate Day
19 Sep 2025Thousand Islands region, St Lawrence River, USA-Canada border

More Desktop Wallpapers:

2 Aug 2025Cowes Week
16 Jan 2024Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
26 Jan 2026Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany
Into the breach
1 Sep 2025Rock layers in Zumaia, Basque Country, Spain
London calling
13 Nov 2025Quiver trees, Keetmanshoop, Namibia
Winter wonderland
15 Sep 2023Glenariff Forest Park, County Antrim, Ireland
A bridge that holds up history
5 Mar 2025Khao Sok National Park in Thailand
22 May 2024International Day for Biological Diversity
14 Dec 2024Christmas Bird Count turns 125
24 Feb 2024Almond trees in full bloom, California, USA
21 Oct 2023International Archaeology Day
19 Jul 2024A young jaguar on a riverbank, Pantanal, Brazil
9 Nov 2024Aït Benhaddou, Morocco
14 Jan 2026The staircase of the Fortress of Palamidi, Nafplio, Greece
A beach of many colours
8 Nov 2023Llyn Padarn, Snowdonia, Wales
Beauty by the bay
3 Dec 2023Advent Sunday
5 Dec 2025Maya site of Copán
How sweet to be a star, floating in the blue.
29 Oct 2023Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia, USA
2 Jun 2025Skipper butterfly on an Echinacea flower
25 Oct 2023Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA
16 Feb 2025Happy World Whale Day!
Meet for lunch?
21 Apr 2025International Dark Sky Week