The primary composition of the range is migmatite, granite and gneis.

The area has a horseshoe shape that extends from Tišnov in the east, to Žďár nad Sázavou in the northwest and Jemnice in the southwest.

The highlands have an area of 2,722 square kilometres (1,051 sq mi) and an average height of 536 metres (1,759 ft).

The most populated settlements in the territory are Jihlava (smaller part), Žďár nad Sázavou, Velké Meziříčí, Nové Město na Moravě, Dačice, Třešť, and Velká Bíteš.

The mountain range is 47% forested, plantations only – spruces, limes, maples, birches.