Fifth stage of the Dolomiti di Brenta Trek which from Rifugio ai Brentei leads to Rifugio XII Apostoli.
The Rifugio XII Apostoli (m. 2489) is located in the southern part of the Brenta Group on a natural limestone rock balcony overlooking Val di Nardis. The cubic shape of the structure is the original one, later expanded and renovated to make it more accessible. The place where it was built in the years 1907-’08 is extremely scenic: below you can see Val Rendena and right beyond the snow-capped peaks of Carè Alto and Presanella. Set among the surrounding peaks are some of the main glaciers of the Group which bear the names of the peaks above them: Ágola, Pratofiorito, Dodici Apostoli.
The small church carved into the rock not far from the hut was built following the accident that involved three young hikers on the nearby Vedretta dei Camosci, in 1950. Inaugurated and blessed on September 28, 1952, it is dedicated to Our Lady Help of Christians.
- The Martinazzi path can be technically challenging especially early in the season when snow is still abundant along the trail. Just before June 20, the opening date of the huts, the managers of Rifugi Brentei and XII Apostoli work on securing this trail by breaking the trail and fixing fixed ropes where necessary to facilitate passage over the still present snow. Before starting this section of DBT check trail conditions and necessary equipment at the huts.
- At the small church near Rifugio XII Apostoli every year, on the last Sunday of July, a Holy Mass is celebrated dedicated to all mountain fallen, attended by hundreds of climbers and the Chorus of S.O.S.A.T.
