The Kerem Tunnel allows for a an experience that is unique in terms of hiking and riding.

נווה פריצקי The Kerem Tunnel is the first bike tunnel to be constructed in Israel and was officially opened in the year 2000 as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycle path that runs around Jerusalem, the capital city.

The tunnel connects Nahal Refaim with Emek Motza. The southern entrance of the tunnel is beneath Ein Laban in Refaim Park. The northern entrance is found in Nahal Ein Kerem.

The 2.1-kilometers-long tunnel was officially opened during a celebration on Thursday attended by Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Ze’evElkin, Mayor Moshe Lion, Gihon water company chairman Avi Baleshnikov and hundreds of cyclists.

Jerusalem was once a sought-after tourist destination due to its historic past. Nowadays, aside from its historic treasures it also has modern tourism,” Elkin said. “The opening of this tunnel project is a further part of the growth of the city of Jerusalem as well as its development into a desirable tourist destination for all kinds of visitors throughout Israel and throughout the globe.”

Elkin his ministry, which responsible for the project, along with Jerusalem Municipality stated that his ministry invested hundreds of millions of shekels every year in the city’s tourism development as well as in creating new activities and ventures that connect the stunning historic past with the the future of Jerusalem. I would like to invite cyclists to ride along a the modern, well-maintained cycling route overlooking the unique landscape of Old Jerusalem.

About NIS 25 million were earmarked in the project, budgeted by Elkin’s ministry The Tourism Ministry, the Jerusalem Municipality as well as the Gihon Corporation and the Jerusalem Purification and Sewerage Works, with the work carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

Elkin declared that the Kerem Tunnel project was a crucial element in achieving the goal of shifting the idea of transportation throughout Jerusalem. Elkin stated that the new tunnel is connected with the Jerusalem Ring Path and will link with existing bike routes. The tunnel will also be paved in its various areas. The tunnel will be a great way to encourage cycling and promote green transport in Jerusalem.

The Kerem Tunnel was originally excavated in 1990 to move the main sewer from 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 the central instrument to achieve the vision of transforming Jerusalem’s transportation model. ”

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe León

Road construction, installation, blowers, advanced security systems and electrical wiring are all part of the current work. The tunnel is safe for the public to use throughout the season.

The Kerem Tunnel also allows access to unique recreation sites which include the Ein Kerem neighborhood, the biblical zoo and aquarium, and the historical natural springs in Ein Laban and Ein Haniyeh.