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:

Nov. 19, 2023Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve, Estonia
Mar. 4, 2024Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
Jan. 10, 2026The Matterhorn reflected in Lake Stellisee at sunrise, Zermatt, Switzerland
Mar. 1, 2024Wheaton River, Yukon
Reflecting on Christmas
A city so nice, they made it twice
Oct. 19, 2023Mekong River Delta, Long An, Vietnam
Sep. 4, 2023Camels in the desert, United Arab Emirates
Nov. 27, 2024Tombeau du Géant in Bouillon, Belgium
Rising with the sun
Paddle power
Feb. 2, 2024Groundhog Day
Sep. 15, 2025Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia
Dad on duty
Mar. 14, 2024Happy Pi Day!
The sun sets on the Valley of the Moon
Shell-ebrating sea turtles
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The mystery of Stonehenge
All is calm
Jan. 24, 2024Diamond Beach, Iceland
Nov. 2, 2023Death Valley National Park, California
Mar. 7, 2024Roques de Benet, Els Ports Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain
Oct. 17, 2025Jasper Dark Sky Festival
Sep. 16, 2025Nighttime view over the Gulf Coast
Nature’s blue wonder
Dec. 22, 2025The Nutcracker performed by the Turkish State Opera and Ballet in Türkiye
Sep. 2, 2023Allens Hummingbird
Like paint on a canvas
Jan. 21, 2024Eurasian red squirrel, Netherlands