Location
The site covers the area of 38,6 ha and lies on the altitude of 550-720 m asl, on a slope of Kostrza hill, northward from Limanowa. The site is located within Beskidy Zachodnie Mouniatns, in so called Beskid Wyspowy.

Landscape and land formation
The Kostrza hill is built of Carpathian flysh (thick-bedded sandstone and schists). Marly shales, weathering easier, occur in some places on the surface. Deep but strongly skeletal soils originate from these shales. The Kostrza and neighbouring Swinna Gora hills (546m above sea level) are surrounded by agricultural land, with dispersed habitation.

Ecosystem
Two habitat types listed on Annex 1 of Habitat Directive hale been identified in the area:

• Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests
• Tilio-Acerion forest of slopes, screes and ravines

Forests cover the whole area of the site and are rich in numerous protected plant species: English Ivy (Hedera helix), Martagon lily (Lilium martagon), Hart's-tongue Fern (Phyllitis scolopendrium), Polypody (Polypodium vulgare), oxlip (Primula elatior).

Nature protection
The site covers the area of Kostrza nature reserve of 38.56 ha, established in 2001.