Die Sage vom Martinsloch

In order to be able to explain the existence of the rock window, various legends have been created. The most widespread story tells of the shepherd Martin, who herded his animals on the Elmer side of the Tschingelhörner. One day a giant came up the mountain from Flims and wanted to steal the sheep. Martin, however, bravely defended his animals and threw his heavy stick at the giant. But instead of hitting it, the stick bounced into the rock face with the pointed end first. Mighty thunder and rumbling sounded and large stones rolled towards the valley. Where the stick had hit the rock face, a triangular hole could now be seen. The Martinsloch.

Here is an excerpt from the original legend in the Glarus dialect:

Det i de Elmer Berge,

i ruucher rock face,

da glaret wen es Tänggmales

Miracle quiet in the land.

In the great Tschingelhore,

the broad rock hole,

dur d'Bergwand dure broche,

liit unig ds Martinsloch....

The full text can be

or you can listen to the legend on Youtube spoken by Kaspar Hefti (municipal clerk of Elm)

Directions

The approach to the Martinsloch should only be dared by very experienced hikers. From Flims you take the FlemXpress to the Segneshütte. From there you cross the imposing landscape of the lower Segnesboden, always with the Tschingelhörner in view. You can see the Martinsloch after the first successfully mastered ascent from the lower Segnesboden to another plateau. From this stony plateau you now attack the Martinsloch directly in front of you. The route (T5 level Flims side) leads along an unmarked path through a steep scree slope to the Martinsloch. The path is at risk of rockfall and should only be walked with appropriate equipment. From the Martinsloch you have a wonderful view of the surrounding peaks. Now you have the option of descending directly to Elm or turning back and stopping for a delicious Kaiserschmarrn at the Mountain Lodge on the Segnespass, which can be found a few hundred meters to the right of the Martinloch

Of course, the gigantic Martinsloch can also simply be admired from a distance.