Gudenus cave, Waldviertel Travel Guide

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Explore the ancient past at Gudenus Cave near Krems, Austria, an important Paleolithic site revealing Neanderthal and early human life.

The Gudenus Cave, near Nöhagen in Lower Austria, is an archaeological site of immense importance. This small cave has provided invaluable insights into the lives of Paleolithic humans, including Neanderthals and early modern humans, dating back as far as 70,000 years ago. Discoveries include tools, art, and remains of Ice Age animals.

A brief summary to Gudenus cave

Nöhagen 59, Nöhagen, 3613, AT
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Gudenus cave.

Visit the Natural History Museum in Vienna to see artifacts excavated from Gudenus Cave, including tools and art from Paleolithic humans.
Explore the Kremstal valley, where the cave is located, for hiking and biking trails that showcase the region's natural beauty.
Learn about the Venus of Willendorf, another significant Paleolithic find in the region, to understand the broader context of early human life in Lower Austria.
Wear sturdy shoes for comfortable walking on uneven surfaces around the cave.

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Getting There

Public Transport

From Krems an der Donau, take a bus towards Nöhagen. Bus lines operated by VOR (Verkehrsverbund Ost-Region) connect Krems to the region around Nöhagen. Check the VOR website or app for the most up-to-date schedules and routes. From the Nöhagen bus stop, it's a short walk to the Gudenus Cave location. A single bus fare from Krems to Nöhagen typically costs around €4-6.
Driving

From Krems an der Donau, drive northwest on the B3 towards Nöhagen. The drive is approximately 20 km and takes about 20-30 minutes. Parking near the Gudenus Cave is limited. There are no dedicated parking facilities, so you may need to park along the roadside in Nöhagen. Parking is free. Be mindful of local residents and avoid blocking any driveways or roads.
Taxi/Ride-Share

Taxis are available in Krems an der Donau. A taxi or ride-share from Krems to Nöhagen will cost approximately €23-52, depending on the taxi company, demand, and time of day. Uber is available in Krems an der Donau. From Nöhagen town center, it's a short walk to the Gudenus Cave location.

Discover more about Gudenus cave

Located approximately 20 kilometers northwest of Krems an der Donau, the Gudenus Cave (Gudenushöhle in German) is a significant archaeological site offering a glimpse into Paleolithic life. The cave itself is relatively small, measuring about 22 meters in length and 2 to 3 meters in width. It's positioned at the foot of a rock face below Hartenstein Castle, approximately 7.5 meters above the Kleine Krems river.The cave served as a dwelling and workplace for humans for tens of thousands of years. Archaeological excavations have revealed a rich history of human occupation dating back to the Middle Paleolithic period, around 70,000 years ago, when Neanderthals used the cave as a resting place and a site for tool production. Evidence of their presence includes bone remains, charcoal, hand axes, and stone flakes. During the Upper Paleolithic period (approximately 19,000 to 12,000 years ago), modern humans also occupied the cave, leaving behind stone tools, bone tools, and a tubular container made from an eagle bone engraved with a drawing of a reindeer.The cave's sediments have also yielded bones of numerous Ice Age animals, including woolly mammoths, woolly rhinoceroses, aurochs, chamois, reindeer, and red deer. The cave's location in the Kremstal valley, at the confluence of the Große Krems and Kleine Krems rivers, made it an attractive site for early humans, providing access to water, food resources, and raw materials for tool production. The cave offered shelter and a strategic vantage point.While the cave isn't a formal museum, artifacts from Gudenus Cave are on display at the Natural History Museum in Vienna and MAMUZ Schloss Asparn/Zaya.