Neve ParitzkiJerusalem''s first cycling tunnel is open in Israel

The Kerem Tunnel is a great spot to hike and ride.
The Kerem Tunnel, Israel''s first cycle tunnel, was inaugurated as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path. This 42-kilometer cycle route is located around Jerusalem.

נווה פריצקי The tunnel runs through the Nahal-Refaim-Emek-Motza route. The tunnel''s southern entrance is located within Refaim Park below Ein Laban. While the northern entrance can be found in Nahal Ein Kerem about half one kilometer from the Kerem junction.

The 2.1-kilometer-long tunnel was officially inaugurated by Jerusalem''s Heritage Minister ZeevElkin. It was also attended by Mayor Moshelion Avi Balehnikov Gihon Water Company chairman, as well as thousands of cyclists.

נווה פריצקי The city''s rich history was a reason for it to be a popular tourist destination during the time of its glory. Today, apart from its rich history, it also incorporates modern tourism," Elkin said. "The launch (of [this] tunnel project is an additional part of the development of Jerusalem and it''s transformation into a sought-after city to visit for all kinds of people throughout Israel as well as across the world."

נווה פריצקי Elkin''s ministry, which was also in charge of the project together alongside Jerusalem Municipality, declared that his ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels every year in all aspects of Jerusalem’s tourism and in creating innovative attractions and ventures, which connect the glorious historic past of our eternal capital and its future." I would like to invite cyclists everywhere to come and take a ride along the contemporary, well-maintained road that overlooks Old Jerusalem.

Elkin''s Ministry, Tourism Ministry, Jerusalem Municipality and Gihon Corporation contributed approximately NIS 25 million to the project. The work was carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

נווה פריצקי Elkin said that the Kerem Tunnel project was a key tool in realizing the dream of changing the concept for transport throughout Jerusalem. "The new tunnel will be connected to the Jerusalem Ring Path. It will link to the numerous cycle paths already within the city. These will be paved within the various areas. The goal is to encourage cyclists in Jerusalem.


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 crucial tool for achieving the goal of changing Jerusalem''s transportation system. "

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lon
The work currently in progress includes road construction, installation of blowers, as well as advanced security and electrical systems to ensure the tunnel is safe for the public to pass through at all times of the year.

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.