Neve ParitzkiJerusalem opens the first Israel-wide cycle tunnel

The Kerem Tunnel allows for a the most unique riding and hiking experience.
נווה פריצקי The Kerem Tunnel, Israel's newest cycle tunnel, is inaugurated as part of the 42-kilometer cycle route which circles the capital.

נווה פריצקי The tunnel links Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. The tunnel's southern entry point can be found within Refaim Park below Ein Laban. The northern entrance can be found in Nahal Ein Kerem about half an hour from the Kerem junction.

The 2.1-kilometers-long tunnel project was officially 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 once a popular tourist attraction due to its rich past. Elkin said that apart from its historic treasures, modern tourism is also integrated into the Jerusalem city. "The opening of this tunnel is a further step in the development of Jerusalem as an attractive tourist destination for all types of people in Israel and all over the world."

Elkin who, through his ministry and the Jerusalem Municipality led the project, stated that his ministry "invests hundreds to millions of shekels annually to develop all aspects of Jerusalem's tourists and in the creation and operation of exciting tourist attractions, ventures, and activities that link the rich history of our eternal city to the future". I would like to invite cyclists everywhere to come and take a ride along the new, well-maintained and modern route which overlooks Old Jerusalem.

The project was financed by Elkin's ministry and the Tourism Ministry. It also included the budgets for the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation. The work was done by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

Elkin stated that the Kerem Tunnel project is an crucial tool to realize the vision to transform the idea of transport in Jerusalem. "The new tunnel will be connected to the Jerusalem Ring Path. It will be connected to the many bicycle paths that are already within the city. They will be laid in its numerous areas. The objective is to promote cycling among residents of the city.

The Kerem Tunnel was first excavated in the 1990s to move the main sewer line of the Gihon Corporation toward the purification plant located in Sorek It is situated to the west of the city. It is currently used as an infrastructure tunnel. It also includes the fifth water line that connects to Jerusalem of the Mekorot water company.


"The Kerem tunnel project is crucial to realize the vision for changing Jerusalem's transport system. "

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon
The works currently underway include road construction, installation of blowers and advanced electrical and safety systems, to ensure the tunnel is safe for the public to pass through throughout the year.

You can also access the Kerem Tunnel to enjoy unique recreation spots, including Ein Kerem, the Biblical aquarium, zoo and Ein Kerem neighborhood.