Alta Via 1 Duration: How Many Days Do You Really Need?
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Wondering how many days you need for Alta Via 1? Compare our 5, 6, 10, 11 & 12-day itineraries and find the right pace for your Dolomites trek.

From the Trails to the Peaks
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I’m Justin, an Australian-born outdoor enthusiast and co-founder of Dolomites Active Tours. I’m a certified E-Bike Gide and Instructor (Level 2) through AMI – Associazione Mountain Bike Italia, and spend much of my year living and exploring in the Dolomites.
After many years of running my own small businesses in Australia, I traded city life for Italy’s mountains and coast. My wife Lucille and I now divide our time between the Dolomites, where we operate Dolomites Active Tours, and La Spezia, on the Ligurian coast, where we run La Spezia Guide. This balance between sea and mountains perfectly reflects what I love most: active outdoor living, authentic travel, and helping others experience Italy beyond the obvious.
My passion for the outdoors started long before Italy became home. I grew up cycling, climbing, hiking, skiing and snowboarding, and those activities still shape my daily life. Whether guiding e-bike tours through alpine meadows, testing new trail routes, or carving through fresh snow each winter, I’m happiest when surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites.
Through Dolomites Active Tours, I combine my passion for outdoor adventure with my background in business and guest experience. I understand that planning a mountain holiday can feel overwhelming – so our goal is to make it seamless. Every itinerary we design reflects real, on-the-ground knowledge from living here year-round, partnering with local experts, and exploring the region ourselves.
When I write about cycling, hiking, via ferrata, skiing, or winter activities, it comes from genuine experience – not theory. I share practical insight into what it’s really like to explore the Dolomites, what guests can expect, and how to make the most of their time in these incredible mountains.
Outside of work, you’ll probably find me somewhere on a trail – camera in hand, bike nearby, and Cooper (our dog) not far behind. The Dolomites never stop surprising me, and I hope our tours (and my writing) help others experience that same sense of awe and connection that first brought me here.




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