This year’s hike, takes place on Saturday, June 2, beginning at 8:15 a.m.

The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank’s annual cross-Island hike turns 25 this year. What better way to celebrate than a 25-mile trek across the Island?

The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank celebrated National Trails Day with its 24th annual cross-Island hike on Saturday. This year the route ran from Oak Bluffs to Katama.

The 22nd annual cross-Island hike, hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission, brought in record numbers, with over 100 walkers starting at Lambert’s Cove at 8 a.m.

They were 48 and one dog strong Saturday morning, gathered at Katama Point, the start of the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank’s annual cross-Island hike. The route would take them through 20 miles of land bank trails, ancient byways, paved roads and some private properties from Katama to Lambert’s Cove Beach.

As I drove up to Pennywise Preserve last Saturday, I expected to see several other Island hikers waiting to join the pack. What I saw instead was an older man, sitting on a rock, legs crossed, no car, no bike . . . just by himself.

“Are you here for the cross-Island hike?” I asked. He smiled warmly and said, “Yes.” I informed him that I just heard the group was 45 minutes behind schedule, then worked on getting my backpack organized.

“Have you ever done a hike of this length? Are you able to do it?” he asked me.