Fifth stage of the "Dolomiti di Brenta Trek" route, from Rifugio Brentei to Rifugio XII Apostoli.
Rifugio XII Apostoli (2489 m) is situated in an extremely favourable position, on a natural balcony of limestone dominating Val di Nardis, in the southern part of the Brenta group. The original cube shaped refuge, built in the years 1907-1908, was later extended and renovated to make it more comfortable.
Below you can see Val Rendena and immediately beyond the snow covered peaks of Carè Alto and Presanella. Embedded in the surrounding peaks are some of the largest hanging glaciers of the Group that take their names from the peaks above them: Ágola, Pratofiorito, Dodici Apostoli.
The little church, not far from the refuge, was hewn from the rock after an accident in 1950, which involved three young hikers on the nearby Vedretta dei Camosci. The church, inaugurated and blessed on 28 September 1952, is dedicated to the Madonna Ausiliatrice. Every year, on the last Sunday of July, hundreds of alpinists and the S.O.S.A.T Choir come here to participate in a Mass in memory of all those who have died in the mountains.
- The Martinazzi path can prove technically demanding especially at the beginning of the season when there is still a lot of snow along the path. Shortly before the refuges open on June 20, the managers of the Brentei and XII Apostoli Refuges ensure the safety of this path, beating the track and fixing ropes where necessary to facilitate the passage on the snow still around.
- Before setting out on this stretch of DBT, check at the refuges for the trail conditions and equipment required. Every year, on the last Sunday of July, in the church at the XII Apostoli Refuge, a Mass dedicated to all the all those who have died on the mountain is celebrated, attended by hundreds of mountaineers and the S.O.S.A.T. Choir.
