It spans a territory of 3418 ha or 34.18 km2 and was declared in July 1949 to protect the only population of Macedonian pine in the mountain range.

It is a strict nature reserve (1st category protected territory according to Bulgarian legislation and IUCN classification).

Spanning north of the summit of Vezhen (2,198 m), the reserve is situated at altitudes between 850 m and 2,198 m.[5] Administratively, it is part of Teteven Municipality, Lovech Province, within the area of the village of Ribaritsa.

Other common deciduous trees include European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and Heldreich's maple (Acer heldreichii).

In the sub-Alpine zone there are bush formations of common juniper (Juniperus communis), Balkan heath (Erica spiculifolia), blueberries (Vaccinium sps.