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

The Kerem Tunnel, Israel’s first bicycle tunnel, was opened as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path. This 42-kilometer cycle route is located around Jerusalem.

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

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

Jerusalem was a desirable tourist destination due to its rich past. Elkin stated that the present along with its rich history, the tunnel project also encompasses modern day tourism. “The opening (of [this] tunnel project is an additional part of the expansion of Jerusalem, and the transformation of Jerusalem into a popular tourist destination for all kinds of visitors across Israel and around the globe.”

Elkin the minister whose ministry as well as the Jerusalem Municipality led the project, stated that his ministry “invests hundreds to millions of shekels per year in the development all aspects Jerusalem’s tourism and the design and operation of innovative attractions, ventures , and other attractions that connect the glorious history of our eternal city to its future”. I would like to invite cyclists to take a relaxing and modern-day route that takes you through Old Jerusalem.

The project was financed by Elkin’s ministry as well as the Tourism Ministry. It also included budgets for Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation. The work was completed by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

Elkin stated, “The Kerem Tunnel project will be a central instrument for realizing our vision to change the concept transportation throughout Jerusalem.” “The new tunnel will connect with the Jerusalem Ring Path. It will be connected to the many bicycle paths that are already in the city. The paths will be paved throughout the city’s numerous areas. The goal is to promote cycling among the residents of the city.

נווה פריצקי 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 used today as an infrastructure tunnel. It also includes the fifth water line that connects to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water company.

“The Kerem Tunnel Project is an important tool in realizing the goal of changing the transportation concept across Jerusalem. ”

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon

The work currently in progress includes road construction, the installation of blowers and advanced security and electrical systems to make the tunnel safe for pedestrians to travel through throughout the year.

Kerem Tunnel Kerem Tunnel allows for access to exclusive recreation areas for instance Ein Kerem, a neighborhood which includes a Biblical aquarium and zoo, and also the historical natural springs Ein Haniyeh and Ein Laban.