doCompleting a hike is a monumental feat that deserves to be commemorated. How can you sum up a life-changing journey? When words fall short, many hikers turn to art.
Tattoos look like wearable trail souvenirs. They are also the perfect excuse to talk about the trail when people stop you to ask about them.
We’re excited to highlight some of the beautiful and unique trail-inspired inks our readers are sporting.
Do you have your own trail-themed tattoo (AT or not)? If yes, please allow us to showcase your tattoo by submitting a photo via the form below so we can feature it in a later post. We can’t wait to share your amazing tattoos! Maybe you’ll inspire someone else to get a tattoo.
Submit your Thru-Hiker tattoo photos
Nicolas Roux
Trail Name: Postal Mail (AT)
@nobonicola
Story behind the tattoo: «They are the topographic profiles of Springer Mountain (below) and Katahdin (above).»
Ian Gillis
Trail Name: 6 Pack (AT)
@oggillis
Story behind the tattoo: «I saw a sunken grave with this epitaph on the headstone. It’s been very relevant to my post-trial depression.»
kayla m.
Trail Name: Bug Bite (AT)
@meas.k
Sara and Tate Kralik
Trail Names: Kaleidoscope and Flannel (AT)
@what_the_kralik
Story behind the tattoo: «My fiance And I walked together and got tattoos after we got married!
jeremy so
Trail Name: Turn-Around (AT)
@jeremy_dus1
Taylor Cann
Trail name: Lifeguard (AT)
@taylorangel
Story behind the tattoo: “Wildflowers were seen along the AT on my hike in 2019!”
Chris Robinson
Trail Name: Mountain Jam (AT, PCT, GR11, Tour du Mount Blanc, TRT, WHW)
@hikerdude94
Story behind the tattoo: «I just wanted to commemorate my ’94 hike with the classic AT symbol.»
Bob Button
Trail name: Zip (AT)
@texasswimming
Story behind the tattoo: “Class of 2015”.
Eva lifting
Trail name: Grouse (AT)
@eva.levantando
Story behind the tattoo: «There are two peaks, one for Springer Mountain and one for Katahdin.»
Vincent McElhose
Trail Name: Bachelor Party (AT)
@dulcecracker
Story behind the tattoo: «It’s a topography designed by me. It’s a fusion of Springer and Katahdin with my start and end dates. The ‘AT’ is a compass rose that points north.»
Kylie Klinger
Trail Name: 4’10” to Maine (AT)
@klinger
Story behind the tattoo: «I finally got this in 2025, 13 years and one day after introducing Katahdin. While I was in the 100 Mile Desert, I drew the AT symbol with the year on a paper plate I took from a shelter. I always wanted to have the entire trail with me. The idea morphed over the years and finally landed here because not a day goes by that I don’t think about the AT.»
rebecca james
Trail Name: Rainbow Brite (AT, FHT, Tour du Mont Blanc)
David Baxter
Trail Name: Lone Star (AT)
@sorta_cyan
Alex
Trail Name: Blue Blaze (AT)
@blueblazeat
Story behind the tattoo: «Flamed Azaleas, Rhododendrons, and Mountain Laurel.»
kristen
Trail Name: Scratch (AT)
@kbow628
Matthew Meifert
Trail name: Santiago (AT, JMT)
@lbstrtelefono
Story behind the tattoo: “After the AT hike in 2023. I wanted a very simple tattoo and I love the symbology in some guides for ‘unreliable water source’ and ‘shelter’.”
David Mun
Trail Name: Mun (AT)
@thedmunmandunman
Wayne Curtis
Trail Name: Nightingale (AT, Northville Placid)
@ws_curtis
Story behind the tattoo: «Profile is from the Southern Maine AWOL Guide.»
Cecilia Ernst
Trail Name: Night Sister (AT)
@cecilleeernst
Story behind the tattoo: «I drew that symbol every time I signed my name in a log book, in a diary, and on my midcard at Harpers Ferry; it’s my ‘hiker tag’ (like a graffiti tag) for Night Sister.»
Thanks to those who shared their AT-inspired tattoos. Stay tuned for more tattoo related posts featuring other routes. It’s not too late to show off your trail-themed tattoo! Submit your hiker tattoos and let us admire your sweet ink.
Did you climb the AT this year? Take the 2025 AT Hiker Survey And help inform the next class of hikers!
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