Breathtaking treks to go

In a brief introduction, former MountainZone.com editor and inveterate hiker Peter Potterfield writes “when I realized early on that there were more great wilderness places than one could see in a lifetime, I understood the need to prioritize.”

Potterfield has narrowed down the world to 23 priority hikes in a surprisingly meaty guidebook hiding between the covers of this coffee table book. Though nearly half of the routes are in North America, this wish list of great walks spans six continents -- dissecting jaunts as far afield as Patagonia and K2 Base Camp, as bold as the Shackleton Crossing on South Georgia Island, as doable as the Scottish Highlands, as mandatory as a rim-to-rim-to-rim across the Grand Canyon.

Potterfield brings savvy insights, practical planning tips, detailed route info and a refreshingly stoked, conversational tone (the Rockwall of Kootenay National Park in British Columbia is “frankly awesome,” and the section just north of Forester Pass on the John Muir Trail is “mosquito hell” in June and July) that can at least be hauled as far as the trailhead.

Far more transportable is the inspiration “Classic Hikes” evokes, which readers -- armchair or Kilimanjaro summitter -- can bring along at no extra pounds.

-- Jordan Rane