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

The Kerem Tunnel is the first cycle tunnel in Israel and was inaugurated as part the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycling route around the capital.

The tunnel links Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. It has a southern entrance in Refaim Park. Ein Laban is the nearest. Nahal Ein Kerem is the northern entrance.

נווה פריצקי The 2.1-kilometer-long tunnel was officially inaugurated by Jerusalem’s Heritage Minister Zeev Elkin. The ceremony was also attended by Mayor Moshelion Avi Balehnikov, Gihon Water Company Chairman, and hundreds of cyclists.

Jerusalem was once a tourist attraction because of its rich past. Elkin said that the present tourism industry is an integral part of Jerusalem’s historical treasures and also incorporates modern tourism. “The launch (of this tunnel project) is an additional part of the development of Jerusalem, and it’s transformation into a sought-after tourist city for all sorts of audiences throughout Israel as well as around the world.”

Elkin’s ministry, which also in charge of the project together in conjunction with Jerusalem Municipality, declared that his ministry “invests hundreds and millions of shekels each year in all aspects of Jerusalem’s tourism and in creating exciting attractions and ventures that connect the magnificent historical past of our eternal capital and the future.” I encourage cyclists to come and enjoy a modern and well-maintained cycling route that overlooks the special landscape of Old Jerusalem.”

Around NIS 25 million was invested in the project. It was 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 explained that the Kerem Tunnel project is an crucial tool to realize the vision to alter the concept and transportation throughout Jerusalem. Elkin said that the new tunnel is connected with the Jerusalem Ring Path and will join existing bike trails. It will also be made paved in the various areas. It will also increase cycling and encourage green transport 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 in Sorek, which is located to the west of the city. It is used today as an infrastructure tunnel that also houses the fifth water line to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water company.

“The Kerem tunnel project is essential to achieving the vision for changing Jerusalem’s transport system. ”

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe León

The current works include road construction, installation of blowers and advanced safety and electrical systems in order to ensure that the tunnel is secure for the public to pass through all year round.

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