If you want to go somewhere really beautiful then you must be willing to don your hiking boots or good trail shoes are a necessity to traverse the stony way down to Schottensee. (Scottish Lake) though I didn't find any Scots about, I did find the most breath taking (literally) cold lake perfect for summer training when the lakes warm up. 

You are not alone on this path. It is popular for families and hikers but you don't really see the typical tourists as the effort is too great to see the view. I hiked down and brought along my own personal changing room not wanting to strip down in front of the families on the path. 

I check that there are not currents or powerful draining going on, and it proves to be perfectly safe for cold water swimmers. I am often afraid of being sucked down into an underwater outflow. It is a fear deep in my sub conscience. 

Temperature is approximately 41 degrees 5 Celcius on this mid October day.  I see little black fish in the crystal clear water. They will keep me company.

 My toe joints begin to immediately ache with each kick. My heart begins to pound as my pulse increases. My breathing is gasps as it is the end of our summer season and I'm not used to waters as cold as in the deep of winter.

Hikers begin to stop and drop their mouths and pull out their cameras, I see them pointing and a few walk over to see who the nut case is. I am used to this and I am working on my showmanship. The bank has a steep decent which proved challenging when getting out with my frozen hands. It's like climbing out of a deep sand pit. 

I thank the Schottensee for being kind to me. I like to think of lakes as having some sort of soul. I do not practice Shintoism but I do feel special feelings during my swims and the more beautiful a place the more I feel a certain power which I cannot and do not wish to define in words. Let's leave it at this. The high alpine lakes are a place to find  solitude for cold water swimmers. No motor boats, or rowing clubs to run you over. So you can relax and take in the beauty and fill your take with energy and joy. 

I say goodbye and continue my hike for 8 km back to the chair lift and head home refreshed and completely satisfied to face another week of hectic and stress, loud noises and company politics. Thank you Schottensee.