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

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. It is located in southern Israel located in Refaim Park. Ein Laban is the closest. Nahal Ein Kerem is the northern entrance.

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

נווה פריצקי “In the past, Jerusalem was an attractive city for tourists because of its rich history. Elkin declared that, in the present, apart from its rich history, Jerusalem is also home to modern-day travelers. “The inauguration of this tunnel project is a different part in the development Jerusalem. It makes Jerusalem an attractive tourist place for any kind of crowd in Israel as well as around the world.”

Elkin’s ministry, which also headed the project alongside Jerusalem Municipality, stated that his ministry “invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year in all aspects of Jerusalem’s tourism industry and is involved in developing innovative attractions and ventures, that link the amazing historical history of our capital city with the future.” I invite cyclists to enjoy the modern, well-maintained cycling route that overlooks the distinctive nature of Old Jerusalem.

A total of NIS 25 million was put into in the project, financed by the Elkin’s Ministry as well as 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.

“The Kerem Tunnel project is a central tool for realizing the goal to change the concept of transportation throughout Jerusalem,” Elkin stressed. “The tunnel, which will connect with the Jerusalem Ring Path, will connect with existing cycle paths within the city as well as those that will be paved within its different areas. The tunnel is intended to encourage bicycling within its inhabitants, and promote a green transportation revolution in Jerusalem.”

The Kerem Tunnel was originally excavated in 1990 in order to transfer the main sewer of Gihon Corporation towards the Sorek purification facility. The plant is located west of Sorek and is still used as an infrastructure tunnel.

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

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon

Road construction, installation , and testing of electrical and safety systems are just some of the ongoing efforts to make the tunnel safer for all seasons.

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