The Kerem Tunnel provides a unique adventure in hiking and riding which is enjoyed by all.

In the 42-kilometer Jerusalem Ring Path cycling route that surrounds Jerusalem’s capital, the Kerem Tunnel was inaugurated.

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

The 2.1-kilometers-long tunnel project was officially inaugurated at a formal ceremony held on Thursday that was attended by Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Ze’ev Elkin, Mayor Moshe Lion, Gihon water company chairman Avi Baleshnikov, and a slew of cyclists.

“In the past, Jerusalem was an attractive tourist destination because of its rich history. Elkin stated that the current tourism industry is an integral part of Jerusalem’s treasures from the past and incorporates modern day tourism. “The launch of the tunnel project is a different part in the development Jerusalem. It transforms Jerusalem into an attractive destination for tourists of any kind of crowd within Israel as well as around the world.”

Elkin, whose ministry and the Jerusalem Municipality led the project, said that his ministry “invests hundreds to millions of shekels per year in the development all aspects Jerusalem’s tourism and the development and operation of new attractions, ventures and attractions that link the rich history of our eternal city to the future”. I encourage cyclists to take advantage of a an attractive, well-maintained cycling route overlooking the unique nature of Old Jerusalem.

About NIS 25 million was put into in the project, budgeted by the Elkin’s Ministry The Tourism Ministry, the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation and the Jerusalem Purification and Sewerage Works, as well as the work done by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

Elkin said that the Kerem Tunnel project was a important tool to realize the dream of altering the way of transport throughout Jerusalem. “The tunnel is set to connect to the Jerusalem Ring Path. It will link to the numerous cycle paths already within the city. The paths will be paved within the numerous neighborhoods. The objective is to encourage cyclists in Jerusalem.

נווה פריצקי In the 1990s, in the 1990s, Kerem Tunnel was excavated to relocate the main sewer line from Gihon Corporation to the Sorek purification plant. It is currently used for infrastructure purposes. It houses the fifth water line that connects to Jerusalem by the Mekorot water company.

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

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon

Road construction, installation and testing of electrical and safety systems are some of the ongoing efforts to ensure the tunnel is safe for all year.

The Kerem Tunnel allows for access to unique recreation areas, for instance Ein Kerem, a neighborhood which has a Biblical aquarium and zoo, as well as historic natural springs Ein Haniyeh and Ein Laban.