Location
The massif of Babia Góra is the highest mountain range of the Beskid Wysoki Mountains. It borders with the valley of Skawica river from the north. The Jalowiecka Pass constitutes its western border, and Lipnicka Pass - eastern border. The highest peak of Babia Gora Massife is Diablak - 1725 m asl.

Landscape
The massif of Babia Góra is the highest mountain range of the Beskid Wysoki Mountains, built of Carpathian flysh (mainly sandstone, shale and marl). Its northern slopes are steep,

Characteristic feature of Babia Gora landscape are numerous rock slides.

Ecosystem
Among other lower ranges of the Beskidy Mountains, the Babia Gora massif distinguishes itself by a distinct climate zonation. The higher the altitude, the lower the temperature. Summers are chilly, and winters are mild. July is the warmest month, January is the coldest. Up in the mountains the snow stays for up to 7 months.

Among habitats important for preserving the biodiversity of Europe listed on Annex I  the following have been identified within Babia Gora refuge:

• Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests
• Acidophilous Picea forests of the montane to alpine levels (Vaccinio-Piceetea)
• Bushes with Pinus mugo and Rhododendron hirsutum (Mugo-Rhododendretum hirsuti)
• Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests
• Siliceous alpine and boreal grasslands
• Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis)
• Medio-European subalpine beech woods with Acer and Rumex arifolius
• Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas, in Continental Europe)
• Tilio-Acerion forest of slopes, screes and ravines
• Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels
• Alpine and Boreal heaths
• Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)
• Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands
• Alkaline fens

Flora
Flora vertical zonation and the presence of the subalpine belt with dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo, which is typical for high mountains, are distinguishing feature of this region. Forests cover about 90% of the area. Tree stands are dominated by spruce, fir and beech. The fir-spruce forests, managed in the past to a very limited extent, have preserved their natural character. Above the treeline there is a belt of dwarf mountain pine thickets and the top of the massif is covered by rock debris.

Fauna
There live 400 animal spiecies in the region of Babia Gora. The most numerous is the group of invertebrate, with numerous speices of beetles. The most interesting representative of this group is Carabus fabricii  listed in Polish Red Data Book of Animals.

Babia Gora is home to numerous bird species, among them owls: the Long-eared Owl and the Ural Owl. Other birds include: Common Buzzard, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Alpine Accentor and Eurasian Sparrowhawk.

In the mountains one can meet wild boars and deer, Eurasian lynx, wolves, grizzly bears, hazel dormouse and forest dormice

Nature protection
Protection of Babia Gora Massif has its long history. As early as in 1920 the first steps were taken to protect the area. In 1933 nature reserve was established here, and Babia Gora National Park of 3392 ha was designated in 1954, enlarged in 1995.

In 1977 part of the site was designated as a UNESCO-MaB Biosphere Reserve.