the largest ever numbers of participants in the annual National Trust Palm Sunday Walk.

More than 3,000 people flocked to the East End to tour part of the expansive strip of land which is being returned to Bermuda in 1995.

There was a major back-up of traffic along Kindley Field Road and across Swing Bridge.

Some motorists as far back as Crystal Caves took nearly an hour to cross the Causeway.

A number of people chose to turn back rather than deal with the crowds.

Sponsored by the Bermuda National Trust, the roughly six-mile walk encompassed the eastern half of the soon-to-close US Navy base.

"It was an exceptional turn-out,'' Trust director Ms Amanda Outerbridge said yesterday. "I think it was a fun, interesting and topical opportunity for Bermudians to have a good look around the base.'' The Trust sponsors the free annual walk as part of a community exercise in which it tries to give residents an opportunity to see places not generally open to the public, she said.

One highlight was a stop at the newly completed Cooper's Island nature preserve, which local conservationists and horticulture experts helped to create by cutting pathways, providing more endemic plants and planting trees.

But the scenic beaches and residential areas got the most attention, according to St. George's Mayor the Wor. Henry Hayward who completed the walk.

"I think that definitely people wanted to see the base and what is there for when it is returned to Bermuda,'' he said.

"They were very interested to see the beaches and their facilities and the base housing.'' McDonald's was also a big attraction, Mr. Hayward added.

"I imagine they were sold out by the end of the day,'' he said.

The approximately two-hour walk started at 2 p.m. with NAS gates opening at 1 p.m. to the public, who were required to wear goggles on motorcycles and to obey the 20 mph speed limit and no-overtaking rule.

Last year's walk covered the Devonshire and Smith's Parish countryside and attracted about 2,000 participants.