standing in snowdonia's Ogwen valley surrounded by jagged stones, wind-whipped grass, and jutting mountain, it's easy to get a feel for the wild romance that inspired both myths and legends. The sharp peaks and crumbling castles that characterize Wales's oldest pask have served as the backdrop for many famous histories: It is closely associated with king Arthur,who is said to have battled a giant on top of Snowdon mountain and whose sword,Excalibur,is said to have been tossed into a lake named Llyn lyyn lyydaw. this was also the battleground of Owain Glyndwr (Owen Glendower),who in the 1400s led a bloody revolt to try to win back the crown for the Welsh.