hill area in the county of Derbyshire, England, forming the southern end of the Pennines, the upland “spine” of England. The northern half is dominated by high gritstone moorlands, rising to Kinder Scout 2,088 ft (636 m). The limestone central plateau is cut through by scenic dales, notably those of the Rivers Wye and Dove. The Peak District National Park was formed in 1950–51, and its area of 542 sq mi (1,404 sq km) includes parts of Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and South Yorkshire.