Winding road of Julier Pass, Switzerland (© Westend61/Getty Images)

Some mountain roads become destinations in their own right, and Julier Pass is one of them. This Swiss mountain pass rises to 2,284 metres 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 travellers, 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.