A vista with blue sky and clouds, green shrubs and dirt path. A backpacker is seen on the path in the distance.

Join us on the adventure!

Explore the outdoors through walking, hiking, and backpacking

With friends, family, and my zirconium hip!

Lea Appleton wearing a puffy jacket and smiling

The Hip Hiker Mission

Hip Hiker is dedicated to inspiring people to enjoy walking, hiking, backpacking, and spending time in the outdoors as we age. Through engaging storytelling, trip suggestions, gear recommendations, and safety tips, Hip Hiker promotes exploration and adventure while embracing our own limits. With personal insights from someone who hikes with a zirconium hip and osteoporosis, this site aims to create a supportive community for active and meaningful living.

Click here to message me.

Lea Appleton wearing a puffy jacket and hat is using walking poles and getting ready to hike up a hill.

About Lea

Lea Appleton, M.A., M.Div., is the author of the #1 best-selling book, Walking & Wayfinding: Create Your Own Mindful Practice, One Step at a Time. She facilitates Wayfinding experiences that help people slow down, reset, and reconnect to what matters. She has expertise in using mindful practices to reduce stress and cultivate meaningful living. She loves sharing stories of long walks with friends and family (and her trusty zirconium hip!). Lea is the founder of Wild Wayfinding and holds credentials with both the International Coaching Federation (PCC) and the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches (NBC-HWC).