Before the now famous
Horsehoe Pass was constructed in 1811, the main route through this part of the
Berwyn Mountains was the now little used Bwlch Rhiwvelen, which is a direct and very steep route to the top of the Valley through the small village Pistyll........
Legend has it that a Giantess once guarded this very important mountain pass, killing every human being who dared to venture that way. On hearing of this from his cell, which is now
Llangollen Church, St. Collen grabbed his sword and headed off to meet the fearsome creature and clear the roadway for good.
As battle raged, Collen cut off one of the Giantesses arms with one mighty blow but, undeterred, she picked up the severed limb up and continued the fight with it!
Collen promptly removed the other arm in the same manner at which point the Giantess called for help from King Arthur in his stronghold on top of the Eglwyseg Escarpment but to no avail, whereupon Collen slew the Giantess.
He then washed his hands in a nearby well, which to this day is known as Fynnon Collen.
Arthur's stronghold is the tallest cliff in the Eglwyseg Valley, known today as
Craig Arthur and is only a stone's throw away from Craig y Forwyn (The Rock of the Maidens). On the summit of this cliff is a strange rock formation known as Cadair Arthur (Arthur's Chair).
These cliffs are very steep, difficult to approach and are now not on any footpaths so care must be taken when trying to reach them.
The site of another place name carrying the name of Arther can be found on the south side of the Dee on the old road over the hills to Chirk, on which
Guinevere's Cross sits, are two springs known locally as Ffynnon Arthur (Arthur's Well).