[4][5] Parangalitsa is situated in southwestern Rila in the valley of the river Blagoevgradska Bistritsa between 1,480 and 2,485 m altitude.

[3] The two main habitats are primary undisturbed forests and sub-alpine and alpine vegetation.

The areas between 1,750 and 2,000 m altitude are covered with old growth forests of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Macedonian pine (Pinus peuce) forming some of the oldest conifer woods in Bulgaria and Europe, 150–350 years.

Some of the rare and endemic plants are Aquilegia aurea, Geum bulgaricum, Primula deorum, Jacobaea pancicii, Alchemilla catachnoa, Gentiana lutea, Gentiana punctata, Lilium jankae and Trollius europaeus.

[3][4] Reptilians and fish are represented by species adapted to high altitudes, such as common European viper, viviparous lizard and river trout.