A near Bulgarian endemic. This butterflies global range lies almost entirely within Bulgaria, outside of Bulgaria extending just into the Serbian part of the Western Stara Planina. In Bulgaria It occurs very locally above 1900 m on open subalpine and alpine grassland in the Rila and Pirin Mountains and in the Central and Western Stara Planina.

It is very similar to the Mountain Ringlet (Erebia epiphron), and was formerly considered to be the same species. It may share the same larval hostplant, Mat-grass, as this always appears to present / abundant where I have found it.

Although it is classed as of "Least Concern" on the European Red List of Butterflies (van Swaay et al. 2010), Kolev considers it to be "Vulnerable" (Butterflies of Bulgaria website) because it is a near endemic, and due to its very local and limited distribtion within Bulgaria.

It is one of four species protected by law in Bulgaria.