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The Kerem Tunnel is a great location to go on a hike or ride.

The Kerem Tunnel, Israel’s newest cycle tunnel, was inaugurated as part of an extensive cycle path that runs through the capital.

The tunnel connects Nahal Refaim with Emek Motza. It has a southern entrance located in Refaim Park. Ein Laban is the nearest. Nahal Ein Kerem is the northern entrance.

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

Jerusalem was a popular tourist destination due to its glorious past. Elkin explained that today, in addition to its rich history the tunnel construction project encompasses modern day tourism. “The launch of the tunnel project is a further part of the development of Jerusalem as a city. Jerusalem and its transformation into an attractive tourist city for all types of audiences in Israel and throughout the globe.”

Elkin’s ministry, which responsible for the project along with Jerusalem Municipality, said that the ministry “invests hundreds of millions of shekels every year in all aspects of Jerusalem’s tourism, and also in the creation of new ventures and attractions that connect the magnificent historical history of our capital city and its future.” I would like to invite cyclists everywhere to take a trip and enjoy the modern, well-maintained route that overlooks Old Jerusalem.

The project was funded by the Elkin’s department and the Tourism Ministry. It also included budgets for Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation. The work was completed by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

“The Kerem Tunnel project is a central tool for realizing the idea to transform the idea of transportation across Jerusalem,” Elkin emphasized. “The new tunnel that connects to the Jerusalem Ring Path will join existing paths for bicycles and the ones that will be paved within its neighborhoods. The goal is to encourage biking within the city’s residents and to promote the green transport revolution in the capital.”

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

נווה פריצקי “The Kerem Tunnel Project is an important tool in realizing the goal of changing the transportation concept throughout Jerusalem. ”

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe León

To make the tunnel usable to the public all year round The works comprise road construction and installation of blowers.

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