Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)Israel's first cycling tunnel opens in Jerusalem

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Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)Israel's first cycling tunnel opens in Jerusalem

The Kerem Tunnel allows for a unique hiking and riding experience.
The Kerem Tunnel, Israel's first bike tunnel, opened as part of Jerusalem Ring Path.  https://nevefrietzki.co.il/ This 42-kilometer cycle route is located around Jerusalem.

The tunnel is located along the Nahal Refaim-Emek Mostza route. Its southern entrance is within Refaim Park under Ein Laban. The northern entry, Nahal Ein Kerem, is just half a kilometer away from the Kerem junction.

The 2.1-kilometer long tunnel was inaugurated on Thursday by Jerusalem and heritage minister Ze'evElkin and Mayor Moshe Lion. Avi Baleshnikov of Gihon, chairman of Gihon as well as a multitude of cyclists were also in attendance.


Jerusalem was a popular tourist destination because of its glorious history. Elkin declared that, in the present, apart from its rich history, Jerusalem is also a destination for modern-day tourists. "The inauguration [of] this tunnel is a further milestone in the advancement of Jerusalem as an ideal tourism destination for all kinds of tourists in Israel and around the globe."

Elkin, whose ministry and the Jerusalem Municipality led the project, stated that his ministry "invests hundreds to millions of shekels per year to develop all aspects of Jerusalem's tourism and the development and operation of new tourist attractions, ventures, and activities that link the rich history of Jerusalem's eternal city to the future". I encourage all cyclists to take a trip and enjoy the contemporary, well-maintained road that takes in the view of Old Jerusalem.

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

Elkin said the fact that "The Kerem Tunnel Project is the central instrument to achieve the vision to transform the concept of transport in Jerusalem." "The tunnel, which connects to the long Jerusalem Ring Path, will join existing bike routes in the city as well as those that are paved in its various neighborhoods, to encourage cycling among its residents and its visitors and encouraging the green revolution in transportation in Jerusalem."

The Kerem Tunnel first was excavated in the late 90s to relocate a main sewer line for the Gihon Corporation towards Sorek. It is now being used as an infrastructure Tunnel which includes the fifth waterline to Jerusalem via the Mekorot water corporation.

"The Kerem Tunnel Project is crucial in achieving the dream of changing the transportation concept across Jerusalem. "

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe León
Road construction, installation and testing of safety and electrical systems are just a few of the ongoing efforts to make the tunnel safer for all seasons.

It is also possible to use the Kerem Tunnel to enjoy unique recreation spots, including Ein Kerem, the Biblical zoo, aquarium and the Ein Kerem neighborhood.