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The Kerem Tunnel is a great location to go on a hike or ride.

The Kerem Tunnel, the first cycle tunnel in Israel, has been inaugurated in the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycling route that surrounds Jerusalem, the capital city.

The tunnel is located through the Nahal-Refaim-Emek-Motza path. Its southern entrance is in Refaim Park under Ein Laban. The northern entry, Nahal Ein Kerem, is just half a kilometer away from the Nahal Ein Kerem junction.

Inauguration of the tunnel which measures 2.1 kilometers long took place in Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Ze’ev Elkin Mayor Moshelion, Heritage Minister Ze’ev Elkin Avi Baleshnikov (Gihon water company chairman of the company) and hundreds more cyclists.

Jerusalem was once a very popular tourist destination because of its historical past. Elkin stated that the current tourist industry is a part of Jerusalem’s treasures from the past and incorporates modern day tourism. “The launch of the tunnel project is a different aspect of the growth of Jerusalem and its transformation into a desirable 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, stated that his ministry “invests hundreds of millions of shekels annually in the development all aspects Jerusalem’s tourists and in the development and operation of innovative attractions, ventures and attractions which connect the rich past of our eternal city to its future”. נווה פריצקי I invite the cycling community to take a relaxing and modern-day route that takes you through Old Jerusalem.

The project was funded by the Elkin’s department and the Tourism Ministry. It also included the budgets for the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation. The work was carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

“The Kerem Tunnel project is the central instrument for achieving the idea to alter the notion of transportation in Jerusalem,” Elkin said. Elkin stated that the new tunnel will connect to the Jerusalem Ring Path and will join existing bike trails. The tunnel will also be paved throughout its different areas. This will help cyclists and promote green transportation in the capital.

The Kerem Tunnel first was excavated in the 1990s to create the main sewer line of the Gihon Corporation towards Sorek. It is now being used as an infrastructure tunnel which also includes the fifth line of water to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water corporation.

“The Kerem tunnel is a vital tool in achieving the dream of transforming Jerusalem’s transport system. ”

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe León

To make the tunnel accessible to the public all year round the work includes road construction and installation of blowers.

The Kerem Tunnel also allows access to special recreation areas such as the Ein Kerem neighborhood, the biblical zoo, aquarium and the as well as the historic natural springs in Ein Laban and Ein Haniyeh.