Annual Cross-Island Hike

The land bank celebrates National Trails Day — the first Saturday of June

What is the XIH?

Each year since 1993, the land bank has observed National Trails Day — the first Saturday of June — by conducting a day-long hike across the island to expose people to the network of trails that connect the island’s many conservation lands and public properties. Usually the hike will include sections along dirt or paved roads, but sometimes may include shorelines, steep grades and sections of overgrown vegetation (possibly including poison ivy). Hikes sometimes include stretches across private properties with the generous permission of the owners for the day of the hike only. This is a day-long, guided hike that differs each year and is ordinarily less than 20 miles in length and most participants elect to walk only a portion of the hike’s route, using the itinerary times and information provided on this website to plan their personal starting and ending points.

The 32nd annual XIH took place on June 1, 2024 and ranged 19.2 miles from Hillman’s Point Preserve to the Chilmark Pond Preserve. Approximately 135 people participated in the cross-island trek. Some 99 started; 42 completed the entire hike. The route passed along 17 conservation properties and 5 named ancient ways. 

The next XIH will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025.

What to Expect

This is not a guided nature walk. Due to the length of the hike, the pace is briskly led. The hike leader marks turnoffs and intersections with colored tape for hikers to follow. About every hour, the hike’s leader will pause a few minutes to provide opportunities for slower hikers to catch up. Hikers are encouraged to walk at their individual comfort levels. Most participants opt to walk only a portion of the route. Approximated times and distances for segments of the hike are provided with the map of the route to help people plan how they wish to be part of the hike. 

Sturdy shoes, water bottles, insect repellent and sunscreen (or rain gear) are recommended. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome, unless otherwise noted.  

There is a 30-minute lunch break and 15-minute breaks mid-morning and in the afternoon. Hikers are responsible for their own food and water. To augment hikers’ provisions, the land bank normally has some fruit and water at the morning and afternoon breaks. Efforts are made to have restrooms available at the breaks, but this is not always possible. Restroom availabilty will be identified in the hike’s details. 

Long hikes always have to cross roadways and frequently require walking alongside some roads for extended stretches. Hikers need to remain alert.

Transportation to and from the hike is the responsibility of the participants. Parking is often very limited at starting and ending points. Please check the VTA bus schedules. 

Details as to the most recent XIH follow:

2025 Cross-Island Hike

This year’s hike begins at Chilmark Pond Preserve and concludes about 20 miles later at the Tisbury portion of Eastville Point Beach.

2025 XIH Map

Twenty-three conservation properties (land bank properties, unless otherwise noted) and five protected ancient ways (AW) are included in this year’s hike:

Chilmark Pond Preserve                                                                                          Iron Hill Farm
Ocean View Farm Preserve                                                                                     Benjamin Luce Road (AW)
Middle Road Sanctuary (SMF)                                                                                 Weahtaqua Springs Preserve
Meeting House Road Association                                                                           Old Holmes Hole Road (AW)
King’s Highway (AW)                                                                                               Old Back Road to Oak Bluffs (AW)
Ridge Road (AW)                                                                                                      Featherstone Farm
Brookside Ridge Preserve (SMF)                                                                             Southern Woodlands Reservation
Tiasquam Valley Reservation                                                                                   Bayes Hill Property Association
Brand Bow (Town of WT)                                                                                         Lagoon Ridge subdivision
Mill Pond Overlook (Town of WT)                                                                            Vineyard Hills HOA
Manuel F. Correllus State Forest                                                                               Sailing Camp Park (Town of OB)
Margaret K. Littlefield Greenlands (Town of WT)                                                   Lobster Hatchery (MA Fish and Game)
Little Duarte’s Pond Preserve/I.G.I                                                                             Doug’s Cove Preserve
​​​​​​​Wapatequa Woods Reservation                                                                                Eastville Point Beach (Town of Tisbury)

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Thus far, we can share that the hike will be scheduled to start around 8:15 am to allow participants to arrive via the VTA #5 bus. Checkpoints are being planned for Meeting House Road, South Road, lunch at West Tisbury Town Hall (lunch break), the ballfield next to the West Tisbury fire station on Edgartown Road, Wapatequa Woods trailhead at Head of the Pond Road, Featherstone Farm, and the Sailing Camp. 
​​​​​​​The hike should finish by 4:00 pm. 

Note that the last portion of the hike will be along 1.25 miles of the Lagoon Pond shoreline. In addition to the footing challenges of cobbles and soft sand, there is an inlet to Brush Pond that must be crossed. The width and depth var with shoaling. The tide will be low at the time of the hike but participants in this segment of the hike should plan on at lease 4 - to 6 - inch deep water for several paces. Unless you have your Wellies, plan on your feet getting wet, whether covered or exposed. 

Check back the third week of May for more information.

Questions about the XIH can be sent to Bill Veno at bveno@ marthasvineyardlandbank.com 

Previous Hikes:

Below is a list of the XIHs since they started in 1993 and links to maps from several of those hikes. For some years, only the morning or afternoon segment is provided. Only hikes and segments not involving any special permissions from landowners have been selected. We hope these will provide ideas for people to explore or redo portions of previous hikes, or to string together their own customized hike of whatever distance. Mapping has changed over the years. The early maps were just notes for land bank staff conducting the hikes. It was not until 2008 that maps were made for participants. People are cautioned to check the current land bank map or the TrailsMV trail app to verify the trail routes as they exist today. Enjoy the outdoors!