The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank celebrated National Trails Day with its 24th annual cross-Island hike on Saturday. Over 55 people began the day-long hike in Oak Bluffs, finishing the 21-mile trek on Katama.

“The land bank is trying to promote the trails that exist both on the conservation properties and the trails that link the conservation properties, whether that’s Sheriff’s Meadow or the Nature Conservancy,” explained hike organizer Bill Veno.

Every year brings a new trail for the hike. Mr. Veno emphasizes the Island’s trail continuity, starting the hike where it left off the previous year.

Hike also included segments of Edgartown.

Graham Smith

Hike also included segments of Edgartown.

Graham Smith

“We can’t do the whole Island each hike,” he said with a laugh. “If there are new trails that have been developed, then we might try to highlight those and incorporate them.”

A diverse group of people from all over the country woke up bright and early for the event’s 8 a.m. start time. Families from Seattle and California walked alongside Islanders and Massachusetts natives, sharing a story or two along the way.

“I’ve never done the full walk, I’ve always done only half of it,” said Oak Bluffs native Keith Dodge. A teacher at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School for 26 years, Mr. Dodge serves as a member on Sheriff’s Meadow board of directors.

Sheriff’s Meadow, a privately funded local conservation group that owns 2,000 acres of preserved land, shares the same goal as the Land Bank Commission. Both groups aim to protect the rural landscape of Martha’s Vineyard for future generations.

Perfect weather greeted hikers upon their arrival at Edgartown’s Memorial Wharf after a few hours of hiking. Hikers reconvened under a clear sky to start the hike’s 11 mile second-leg on Chappaquiddick. Armed with water bottles and granola, the hikers marched into Cove Meadow Preserve for a breathtaking view of Cape Pogue’s light-blue waters and never-ending meadows.

At the starting line, at Pecoy Point in Oak Bluffs

Graham Smith

At the starting line, at Pecoy Point in Oak Bluffs

Graham Smith

After a quick rest at the Chappy Community Center, the group continued its journey to the Wasque Point Reservation before finishing the hike’s final three miles across Norton Point, an hour-long struggle across what felt like a desert of sand. Fog creeping over the Atlantic met an exhausted group at the finish line.

Jane Ambrose-Newton, a former BBC reporter, had just completed her 10th cross-Island hike in its entirety.

“I do a lot of walks but this one’s special,” she said, praising the scenery and her fellow hikers. “They all greet you as long lost friends.”

Friends and family tailgating at South Beach eagerly awaited the hikers, and kindly opened their hearts and coolers to anyone in need of water, beer or just conversation.

In the midst of laughter, one man dared to mention next year’s hike.

“I heard they’re making it 25 miles for its 25th anniversary,” he said. “It’s supposed to finish in Aquinnah.”

For more photos of the hike visit Land Bank Cross-Island Hike 2016