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

The Kerem Tunnel, Israel’s newest cycle tunnel, was opened as part a 42-kilometer cycle route that circles the capital.

The tunnel connects Nahal Refaim with Emek Motza. It is located in southern Israel within Refaim Park. Ein Laban is the closest. Nahal Ein Kerem is the northern entrance.

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

“In the past, Jerusalem was an attractive city for tourists due to its rich past. In the present, in addition to its historic treasures it also has modern-day tourism.” Elkin said. “The launch (of this tunnel project) is an additional part of the development of Jerusalem and the transformation of Jerusalem into a popular city to visit for all kinds of audiences across Israel as well as across the globe.”

Elkin who’s ministry spearheaded the project along with Jerusalem Municipality stated that his ministry invested hundreds of millions of shekels every year in the development of Jerusalem’s tourism and in the development of new attractions and ventures that connect the stunning historical past and the future of Jerusalem. I encourage cyclists to join us and take a ride along a modern and well-maintained cycling route that overlooks the special landscape of Old Jerusalem.”

Elkin’s Ministry Tourism Ministry, Jerusalem Municipality and Gihon Corporation contributed approximately NIS 25,000,000 for the project. נווה פריצקי The work was carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

Elkin said that the Kerem Tunnel project was a important tool to realize the vision of changing the concept for transportation in Jerusalem. “The new tunnel connecting to the Jerusalem Ring Path will join existing bicycle paths and the ones that will be paved within the neighborhoods. The goal is to promote biking within the city’s residents and to promote the green transport revolution in the capital.”

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

“The Kerem Tunnel Project is essential to realize the goal of changing the transportation concept all over Jerusalem. ”

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lee

Construction of roads, installation, blowers, modern security systems and electrical wiring are all part and parcel of the current construction. The tunnel will be safe for people to use all season.

The Kerem Tunnel allows for access to exclusive recreation areas like Ein Kerem, a neighborhood that includes a biblical zoo and aquarium and also the historical natural springs Ein Haniyeh and Ein Laban.