Winding road of Julier Pass, Switzerland

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The climb is calling. Winding road of Julier Pass, Switzerland

Some mountain roads become destinations in their own right, and Julier Pass is one of them. This Swiss mountain pass rises to 7,493 feet and has linked Alpine valleys along a route used for nearly 2,000 years. Its story began long before modern traffic. No guardrails, no pavement—just a route used by Roman travelers, merchants, and messengers. Archaeological finds near the summit, including countless coins and two Roman soapstone columns, suggest there was once a sanctuary or stopping place for those tackling the climb.

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