MOUNT AIGALEO

Mount Aigaleo and Poikilo Mountain form a connected mountain range stretching from Mount Parnitha to Perama. Extending for 16.5 km in a southwest to northeast direction, they create the natural boundary between the Athens basin and the Thriasio Plain. The range has an elongated shape with a maximum width of 3.5 km and is split near Haidari by the Athens–Corinth National Highway.

The highest peak of Mount Aigaleo is Koukos (463 m). Its slopes are generally smooth and rounded, dominated by limestone formations that carve shallow ravines across the terrain.

The name “Aigaleo” is believed to derive from the Greek words for “goat” and “people”, reflecting the area’s long pastoral history, as local populations once grazed their herds on these mountains.

Since ancient times, the two mountains held strategic importance as the western natural border of Athens. Between Aigaleo and Poikilo passed the Sacred Way, the oldest road in Greece, while the area was also home to the Sanctuary of Aphrodite and the Temple of Apollo Daphnaios. The passage was fortified to protect the city of Athens.

In 480 BC, the Persian king Xerxes watched the Battle of Salamis from a summit of Mount Aigaleo — a decisive Greek victory that devastated the Persian fleet. During the Byzantine era, the famous Daphni Monastery was founded nearby on the ruins of the ancient temple of Apollo Daphnaios.

Until the 19th century, both mountains were covered by dense forest. Following the arrival of refugees in 1923, the first major human pressures began to reshape the landscape. During the German occupation and especially throughout the harsh winter of 1941, vast forested areas were cut down for heating and survival. Combined with uncontrolled grazing, the rocky terrain prevented the forest from naturally regenerating across much of the mountain.

Even greater pressure came during the 1960s due to rapid urban expansion and the uncontrolled operation of large quarries supplying construction materials for the growing city of Athens. In recent decades, several former quarry sites have been transformed into recreational and sports areas.

Despite the intense human impact, the mountain is far from ecologically dead. The decline of livestock grazing has allowed native vegetation to slowly recover. Today, visitors can still encounter dense pine forests on the western slopes, while much of the mountain is covered by Mediterranean shrubland and low vegetation.

Wildlife remains relatively limited due to the mountain’s small size, though foxes, hedgehogs and several reptile species are still present. Birds of prey such as sparrowhawks and buzzards can also be spotted, along with the iconic island partridges, which unfortunately continue to face pressure from illegal hunting.

Recent botanical surveys revealed an unexpectedly rich ecosystem, identifying around 750 plant species in the Aigaleo–Poikilo range, including 41 endemic to Greece.

Starting from Korydallos Metro Station — allowing easy access without the need for a car — the route climbs onto Mount Aigaleo and explores its slopes through mellow dirt roads and perfectly crafted, well-maintained singletracks built and cared for by the local MTB community.

The route forms two loops around the mountain’s highest points, linking together some of the most enjoyable trails in the area, including “The Tortoise Trail”, “2-3”, “West Coast”, “Hunting”, “Too Soon” and parts of “Mi Les Psemata”.

The trails offer excellent flow, constant rhythm changes and only moderate technical difficulty, making the route suitable even for hardtail bikes.

There are no water sources along the route, while temperatures can become extremely high during the summer months. Avoid riding during peak midday heat and carry plenty of water.