As we’ve already discovered as we’ve delved into some of Wales’ most famous tales and legends – almost every little corner, nook and cranny of our wonderful country has an ancient story or legend attached to it. It’s one of the things we love about Wales – the culture and landscape that dates back thousands and thousands of years.

And now, Natural Resources Wales – the government body responsible for looking after Wales’ natural assets – have made it easier than ever to explore some of the most famous myths and legends of Wales with the launch of two new apps.

The PlacesToGo app shows you where you can go and what you can do in Wales’s public forests and National Nature Reserves. You can search and view walking trail maps and find out where to go mountain biking and horse-riding in forests and the PlaceTales app explains the natural and cultural heritage of some of these forests and reserves. It includes audio trails and folk tales to help bring these places to life.

The legendary Cadair Idris Image from wiki commons

These two great apps will really help you explore Wales’ legends, and bring the famous culture and history to life – whether you live here or you’re visiting. You can download the apps for Android and OS devices free from the app store, and there is more information about them here.

And to celebrate their launch, Natural Resources Wales’ have released their Top 10 ideas for legendary places to explore in Wales, and many of them are close to us here at the Oakeley Arms in Snowdonia. Here they are……

• 1: Discover the legend of Saint Dwynwen at Newborough National Nature Reserve, North West Wales. – Dwynwen, Wales’s patron saint of lovers, is said to have retreated to the island of Llanddwyn, on the southwest corner of Anglesey, after falling in love. The Saint, Sand and Sea Trail sets off on woodland paths and takes you through the magnificent coastal dune system of Newborough Warren and onto the island. You can see the ruins of the chapel and learn more about the story of Dwynwen
• 2: Find out about the legend of Idris the giant at Cadair Idris National Nature Reserve, North West Wales – Cadair Idris means Idris’s chair in Welsh and the name comes from the giant warrior poet who is said to have created a seat at the top of the mountain. One day, Idris was sitting in his chair when he felt pieces of grit inside his shoes.  He cast the grit down the mountain and the three large stones you can see at the foot of the mountain are said to be those annoying pieces of grit.
• 3: Listen to the legend of Susie the witch, Coed y Brenin Forest Park, North West Wales – The bridge over a dramatic gorge is the setting for the legend of Susie Dol y Clochyd who was said to be a witch. A local lord claimed Susie’s beloved cat was hunting on his land, and so he killed it. Susie was distraught and she turned herself into a hare to lure the lord’s hunting hounds to chase her over the gorge. She jumped over at the last minute but the hounds fell to their death into the roaring water below. You can use the special wind-up box to hear Susie the witch tell you her story.
• 4: See in sculptures the legend of the Knockers of Cwmsymlog, Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre, Mid Wales – Local lead miners were said to be helped by fairies who were known as “knockers” thanks to the noises they made to guide people to the lead. When the miners stopped hearing the knockers and could no longer find the lead, they feared they had upset the fairies and would be out of work. After a gift of blackberry cake, the fairies led them to a rich vein of lead. Sculptures beside the Elenydd Trail bring the mythical landscape and its folklore – including the story of the knockers – to life.
• 5: Discover the legend of the Fairy Kingdom, Pont Melin-fach, South East Wales – By following the Elidir Trail you can find out about a local boy – Elidir who fell asleep on the banks of the River Nedd. He was woken by two fairies, who led him down a tunnel on the riverbank to the home of the King of the Fairies. When the king said he could return home he told him he must not tell anyone about his visit to the fairy kingdom. But Elidir did not keep his promise, and he never found the entrance to the fairy kingdom again.
• 6: – Can you hear the bells at Cantre’r Gwaelod, Ceredigion – According to legend, the lost land of Cantre’r Gwaelod, which once stood off the coast of Borth, is Wales’s very own Atlantis. Protected by sluices and dykes from the ravages of the sea, this city was lost one stormy night when a drunk guardian of the city’s sea gates forgot to shut them.  Some say that, if you listen very carefully, you can still hear the ringing bells of Cantre’r Gwaelod, Set off on the Wales Coast Path from Borth to Ynyslas to see if you can hear them.
• 7: Find a Giant’s Tooth at Carreg Bica, Ceredigion – Legend has it that a Ceredigion giant called Bica was suffering from such terrible toothache that he spat out the offending tooth in anger.  The weathered rock, that you can see as you walk the Wales Coast Path, is known as Carreg Bica. It juts out majestically at Llangrannog beach and  has certainly stood the test of time!
• 8: Can you count? Take the challenge at St Govan’s Chapel, Pembrokeshire – Along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path that doubles up as part of the Wales Coast Path you’ll discover a tiny quirky chapel wedged in a gap in the heart of the coastal cliffs.  At least 1,000 years old, this chapel was home to the 6^th century Irish monk called St Govan who was one of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table. Legend has it that the number of steps doing down to the chapel is never the same going up – make sure you count them and let us know if the story is true!
• 9: Preach from the Devil’s pulpit on Offa’s Dyke National Trail – Starting at the beautiful Tintern Abbey, head up the western bank of the River Wye to the Offa’s Dyke National Trail. You’ll be rewarded with stunning views back towards the abbey at the Devil’s Pulpit – a limestone rock jutting out from the cliffs.  Legend has it that the devil preached to the monks below from this spot, tempting them to desert their order.
• 10: Follow the footsteps of Owain Glyndŵr on Glyndwr’s Way National Trail – If you’re up for a challenge, you can walk the Glyndŵr’s Way National Trail – a 132 mile walking route that runs through some of the finest scenery in Mid Wales. The trail is named after Owain Glyndŵr, the legendary Welsh leader who led a successful revolt against English domination in 1400.

Image from wikicommons