The 'legendary' locations behind Welsh folklore

This year is the Year of Legends in Wales, and the Welsh countryside provides the backdrop to many legendary tales.

With thousands of years of history and myth, Wales' landscape is somewhere to be enjoyed all year.

Natural Resources Wales look after many places across the country that come with their own legend attached.

To mark the Year of Legends, it has picked its top 10 places to explore the landscapes that inspired some of the country's ancient stories.

The island of Llanddwyn, off Anglesey, is supposedly where St Dwynwen retreated to after falling in love. A trail through woodland and dunes takes you to the island.

Also in the north of Wales is the home of the legend of Idris the Giant, at Cadair Idris National Nature Reserve. The name comes from the giant who is said to have sat on the mountain. The large stones at the bottom of the mountain are 'annoying pieces of grit' he felt inside his shoes.

In Pembrokeshire, legend has it that the number of steps down to St Govan's chapel is never the same when you go back up.

Built in a gap in the cliffs, this tiny chapel is at least 1,000 years old, and was built by one of King Arthur's Knight of the Round Table.

For a tale involving fairies, and how they helped local lead miners find veins of lead, Natural Resources Wales suggest heading to Cwmsymlog, a site of Special Scientific Interest in Ceredigion. Here you can walk the Elenydd Trail, discovering the lead fairies story as you go.

The Fairy Kingdom in the Brecon Beacons also appears in the top ten. By following the Elidir Trail you can find out about a local boy who fell asleep on the river bank, before being led to the fairy kingdom.

Wales also has its own Atlantis, with the lost city of Cantre'r Gwaelod, which once stood off the coast of Borth. It's said that if you listen carefully, you can still hear the bells ringing.

Named after Owain Glyndŵr, Glyndŵr’s Way runs for 132 miles through mid Wales. Walk in the Welsh leader's shoes, and stop off and explore the many attractions on the way, like Powis Castle.

And you can find out about the legend of Susie the witch at Coed y Brenin Forest Park, in north west Wales. A bridge over a dramatic gorge is the setting for this tale, involving lords, cats and hunting dogs.

A walk along the Offa's Dyke path from Tintern Abbey will lead you up to the Devil's Pulpit. Legend tells of the devil preaching to the monks in the abbey from this spot.

Finishing off the top ten 'legendary' places in Wales, is Carreg Bica, where it's said a Ceredigion giant with toothache spat out his tooth in anger.

Find out more about some of these walks here.