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:

28 Aug 2024Paralympic Games begin in Paris
5 Nov 2023Guy Fawkes Night
Hello, is it tea you’re looking for?
30 Sep 2024Walruses in Svalbard, Norway
Hop into Lunar New Year
Blue as far as the eye can see
17 Feb 2025Jorvik Viking Festival
If these walls could talk...
16 Apr 2025Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah, United States
31 Jul 2024Hoodoos, Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
17 Dec 2023Bohemian waxwings
Incan ingenuity
31 Dec 2025Hogmanay
9 Feb 2025Alstrom Point, Lake Powell, United States
14 Jul 2024Burrowing owl chicks
The lonely castle
A castle full of history
30 Dec 2023Daiichi Tadami River Bridge, Fukushima, Japan
Angel of the sea
10 May 2024Misool, Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia
14 Oct 2024Coco Beach, Goa, India
‘Night shining’ clouds
Boardwalk over Balkan lakes
27 Nov 2023Rio Negro
30 Oct 2025Pushkar Camel Fair
On the open ocean road
International Archaeology Day
Where can you find this cute creature?
2 Jun 2024Baia del Silenzio in Sestri Levante, Italy
The sprout with amazing potential