Agriliki Mount – Marathonas

Mount Agriliki is is protected as CORINE HABITAT in an area of 1934.07 hectares, a total perimeter of 21.2 km with a maximum altitude of 558.0 m and a minimum of 100.0 m). Typical short altitude mountain of southern Greece with forests of Pinus halepensis (Halepian pine), Mediterranean maquis and phrygana. Bare rocky slopes and cliffs. The area is part of Mount Pentelicus. The presence of rare flora endemic to Attica and southern Greece make the area very interesting. There are also large populations of species common to Greece, such as the Anemone panovina plant. Grazing is a serious threat to the rare flora. The dumping of waste originating from Athens is a source of pollution and increases the risk of fires. Remarkable plants such as Campanula celsii celsii, Erysimum corinthium, Malcolmia graeca bicolor, remarkable birds such as Sylvia cantillans albistriata (Red-tailed Godwit) and amphibians/reptiles such as Bufo viridis viridis (Green Toad) are observed in the area. Mount Agriliki is located on the northeast of Pentelicus mountain and it is also considered as part of it. It is also located on the east of Dionysovouni and on the west of Nea Makri, the plain of Marathon, that is the area where the Battle of Marathon took place 2,500 years ago, as well as the gulf of Marathon. It is known to speleologists for its caves such as the "Beautiful cave of Agrilikiou", the cave chasm of Dadrizas and other cave formations. Due to its proximity to the plain of Marathon, the eastern slopes of the mountain are scattered with archaeological findings, such as a Mycenaean acropolis (eastern side, a Middle Helladic cemetery (between Agriliki and Scarpa), while members, parts and fragments of ancient ones have been found in the monasteries of Saint Georgios Vranas, and Monastery of Saint Ephraim notable monasteries of the area. The mountain offers hiking and mountain biking in relatively difficult conditions, up to its double peak where the view compensates the visitor.