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

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

The tunnel connects Nahal Refaim with Emek Motza. Its southern entrance is located in Refaim Park, below Ein Laban, and the northern entrance is in Nahal Ein Kerem, about half a kilometer from the Kerem junction.

On Thursday, Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Zeev Elkin and Mayor Moshelion, Avi Baleshnikov, Gihon chairman, and hundreds of cyclists attended a ceremony to officially open the tunnel’s 2.1-kilometer-long length.

Jerusalem was once a popular tourist attraction due to its rich past. Elkin added that in addition to its historical treasures and modern amenities, tourism has also been included in the city of Jerusalem. “The inauguration of this tunnel project [is] another aspect of the growth of Jerusalem. The tunnel makes Jerusalem an attractive tourist place for every kind of person in Israel, and worldwide.”

Elkin who, along with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, said his ministry “invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year to develop Jerusalem’s tourism in all its aspects and also in the development of exciting tourist attractions and ventures that link the fascinating history of our capital city’s eternal past to its future… I invite cycling enthusiasts to visit and enjoy the modern and well-maintained cycle route that offers a view of the unique scenery of Old Jerusalem.”

A total of NIS 25 million were invested in the project, budgeted by Elkin’s ministry as well as the Tourism Ministry, the Jerusalem Municipality, the Gihon Corporation and the Jerusalem Purification and Sewerage Works, and the work was carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

Elkin stated that the Kerem Tunnel project was a important tool to realize the goal of altering the way of transportation in Jerusalem. “The tunnel is set to connect to the Jerusalem Ring Path. It will be connected to the many cycling routes that exist within the city. They will be laid throughout the city’s various neighborhoods. The goal is to promote cycling among residents of the city.

The Kerem Tunnel was first excavated in the early 1990s in order to shift 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 currently used as an infrastructure tunnel that also includes the fifth water line, which connects to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water company.

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

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lon

Construction of roads and installation, as well as blowers, modern security systems and electrical wiring are all part of the present work. The tunnel will be safe for the public to use throughout the entire year.

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