It extends along the Alps mountains through portions of France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Slovenia.

[2] The ecoregion's elevational range, and its central location between Europe's climatic regions, support a variety of plant communities and species.

[2] Montane forests include a mix of conifers Norway spruce (Picea abies), Silver fir (Abies alba), and mountain pine (Pinus mugo), with the broadleaf deciduous European beech (Fagus sylvatica), aspen (Populus tremula), silver birch (Betula pendula) and downy birch (Betula pubescens).

Black pine (Pinus nigra) occurs on some south facing slopes in the eastern part of the range.

The Alps are home to 200 species of birds, including lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus crassirostris) and rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta).