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

The Kerem Tunnel, the first cycle tunnel in Israel was opened in the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycling route that surrounds Jerusalem, the capital city.

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

The 2.1-kilometers-long tunnel project was inaugurated in a 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 hundreds of cyclists.

“In the past, Jerusalem was an attractive tourist city due to its glorious past. נווה פריצקי Elkin said that the present tourist industry is a part of Jerusalem’s treasures from the past and incorporates modern day tourism. “The launch of the tunnel project is another aspect of the development Jerusalem and it’s transformation into an attractive tourism destination for all throughout Israel as well as around the world.

Elkin who’s ministry in charge of the project with Jerusalem Municipality stated that his ministry invested thousands of shekels annually in the city’s tourism development as well as in creating new attractions and ventures that connect the stunning historical past and future of Jerusalem. I would like to invite cyclists to ride along a the modern, well-maintained cycle route, which overlooks the stunning scenery of Old Jerusalem.

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

Elkin stated the fact that “The Kerem Tunnel Project is the central instrument to achieve the dream to transform the concept of transport throughout Jerusalem.” “The new tunnel, which will connect to the lengthy Jerusalem Ring Path, will join the existing bicycle paths in the city and those that will be paved in the various neighborhoods to encourage cycling among the city’s residents as well as its visitors and in promoting the green transportation revolution in the capital city.”

The Kerem Tunnel, originally excavated by the Gihon Corporation in the 1990s in order to transfer its main sewer line towards Sorek’s purification plant.

“The Kerem tunnel is a key tool to realize the goal of changing Jerusalem’s transportation system. ”

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lon

To make the tunnel usable to the general public throughout the year, the works include road construction and installing blowers.

The Kerem Tunnel gives you access to numerous recreational sites, such as Ein Kerem Neighborhood, the Biblical Zoo and Aquarium and also historic natural springs Ein Haniyeh or Ein Laban.