09/08/17: Schlegeis dam lake walk, Austria

We caught the 4192 bus from Mayrhofen train station to Schlegeis dam. The bus (a coach, really) went through what seemed an implausibly long tunnel under a mountain before climbing higher and higher towards the peaks. As we neared the end of the one-hour journey, we were navigating absurdly tight and steep hair-pin bends with a view into the ravine below and I was suffering severe vertigo. It was such a relief to arrive beside the Schlegeis lake and put my feet back on solid ground. Like everyone else, we took our pictures next to the photo-opportunity wooden character who also serves as the 1,790-metre-height marker point. (1) 

1:

The cafe next to the dam (brand-new and apparently still in the process of being built) had a super-friendly, slightly flirty waitress. I asked if she minded me asking a question. "Yes, I do mind," she joked, sweetly. After she'd offered walking advice (left fork for lake path, right fork for Italy!), we took off along the track beside the water. There were a few large anthills. (2) 
2:

The lake was a beautiful turquoise/green-ish colour, unspoiled by swimmers, boats or fishermen. (3–8) Along the way, there were several religious shrines. Why here in particular, it wasn't clear. We saw the path to Italy (only recommended for hikers with "the right equipment and experience", according to the tourist information leaflet), (9) and continued along the edge of the reservoir seeking a suitable lunch spot.
3–8:

 9:

There had been rock falls at several places, and some of the stones at the path's edge had walkers' cairns built on top of them. (10) At other points there were large metal "pins" holding up the rocks and water tumbling down the slopes. (11) 
10:

 11:

We eventually found a spot – almost impossibly scenic – to eat our cheese sandwiches and Austrian "bugle" crisps.

After walking back the same way to the edge of the dam, we returned to the cafe where the very nice lady we'd met earlier served coffee and a mouthful of sponge cake. I told her where we'd got to, and she said we'd walked 10–11 km on the return trip.

Vertigo allowed me a few steps only along the dam wall before I had to retreat. The view was daunting indeed. (12–13) Plus, there was the bus journey back down the ravine to contend with...
12:

 13:

Miles walked: 6-ish (according to cafe lady – there was no internet connection, so I couldn't map-app it)
Cats spotted: 0 (but there were some nice dogs)