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The Kerem Tunnel is a great spot to hike and ride.

The Kerem Tunnel, Israel’s first bike tunnel, opened as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path. This 42-kilometer cycle path surrounds Jerusalem.

The tunnel connects Nahal Refaim with Emek Motza. It has a southern entrance within Refaim Park. Ein Laban is the nearest. נווה פריצקי Nahal Ein Kerem is the northern entrance.

The opening ceremony of the tunnel that is 2.1 kilometers long was held in Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Ze’ev Elkin Mayor Moshelion, Heritage Minister Ze’ev Elkin Avi Baleshnikov (Gihon water company chairman) as well as a plethora of cyclists.

Jerusalem was once a tourist attraction due to its rich history. Elkin explained that today along with its historic treasures, the tunnel project also encompasses modern day tourism. “The inauguration the tunnel project is another aspect of the growth of Jerusalem as well as its transformation to an attractive tourism destination for all throughout Israel as well as around the world.

Elkin the minister whose ministry as well as the Jerusalem Municipality led the project, said that his ministry “invests hundreds of millions of shekels per year in the development all aspects Jerusalem’s tourists and in the creation and operation of innovative attractions, ventures , and other attractions that connect the glorious history of Jerusalem to the future”. I encourage cyclists to take advantage of a a well-maintained, modern cycle route, which overlooks the stunning nature of Old Jerusalem.

Around NIS 25 million were invested in the project, budgeted by Elkin’s ministry The Tourism Ministry, the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation and the Jerusalem Purification and Sewerage Works, with the work carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

Elkin stated, “The Kerem Tunnel project will be a central instrument for achieving our dream to change the way transportation is conducted in Jerusalem.” “The new tunnel will be connected with the Jerusalem Ring Path. It will be connected to the many cycle paths already within the city. These will be paved within the numerous neighborhoods. The goal is to promote cyclists in Jerusalem.

The Kerem Tunnel was first excavated in the late 1990s to relocate the main sewer line from the Gihon Corporation toward the purification plant located in Sorek It is situated to the west of the city. It is currently used as an infrastructure tunnel. It includes the fifth water line to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water company.

“The Kerem tunnel project is the central instrument for achieving the dream of changing the notion of transportation in Jerusalem. ”

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lee

To make the tunnel accessible to the public year-round The works comprise road construction and installation of blowers.

The Kerem Tunnel gives you access to numerous places to relax, including Ein Kerem Neighborhood, the Biblical Zoo and Aquarium, as well as historic natural springs Ein Haniyeh or Ein Laban.