Mores Coastal Loop Track | Riverton Walks
Mores Coastal Loop Track is one of my favorite Riverton walks. Starting from Mores Scenic Reserve, this trail shows you a little bit of everything. Walk along the coast, on the beach, through dense forest and past the famous Riverton Balancing Rock— all in one hour.
Trail Description
| Difficulty | Distance | Trail Type | Elevation Gain | Time | Family Friendly |
| Moderate | 3.3 km | loop | 150 m | 1 hour | ★★★★★ |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Distance | 3.3 kilometers |
| Trail Type | loop |
| Elevation Gain | 150 meters |
| Time | 1 hour |
| Family Friendly | ★★★★★ |
5 stars for family friendliness: I carried my toddler on this trail with ease.
This walk begins at Mores Scenic Reserve, which is the starting point for a few other trails too. It’s also a popular picnic spot complete with a long drop toilet, rubbish bin and seating. The car park is also right in front of a viewpoint looking over the town of Riverton. Talk about lunch with a view!
To the right of the toilet and across the street is where the walk begins. There’s a dark green DOC sign with estimated completion times for each of the 3 walks that start here. The two paths in front of you connect as a loop, so it technically doesn’t matter which way you go first. I recommend going counter clockwise though, by taking the path on your right. This is so you descend down the steepest part first (right path) and then gradually return back up a less steep incline (left path).
This is the starting point for three walks: Hilltop Lookout, Mores Coastal Loop and the Kings Track.
As I said before, the first part of the walk is a little steep. So long as the recent weather has been dry, you shouldn’t have to worry much about slipping. It’s a very well maintained and marked path. For about 15 minutes you’ll be shaded in by the trees and surrounding greenery. Take a moment to listen to the birds chirping around you, there’s a lot of them here!
Very densely packed trees providing great shade cover!
You will cross paths with part of the Te Araroa Trail, so make sure to stay on the correct path by keeping to the left. You know you’re going the right way when you start to see the treeline break and come across this wooden stile, about 15 minutes into your walk. Cross over the steps and follow the signs leading you towards Balancing Rock. Keep to the left!
The sign states: “Follow markers to return to carpark, Balancing Rock go left.”
For just a minute or two you’ll squeeze between a metal fence and some overgrown gorse bushes that are buzzing with bees when flowers are present! It’s quite muddy and slippery here. The ground is also eroded down and uneven in this section. Just as the path widens though, the trees separate to reveal a panoramic view! Welcome to Riverton’s back beach.
Overlooking Riverton’s back beach.
As you make your way down the hill, the path becomes a clearly visible dirt line amongst the grassy paddocks. Watch your step, there’s lots of animal poo around! We weren’t lucky enough to see any of the farm animals when we visited though. Walk straight onto the beach if you’d like or stay left to head towards the HUGE boulder.
From the famously photogenic “Riverton Balancing Rock,” you’re about 45 minutes from the carpark. A quick downhill but a slow uphill! Take a moment to check out the massive rock though. It’s made of argillite, a type of clay popularly used by the Maori people for crafting tools. They used to heat up the stones over a fire, then throw them into water to break them into smaller, carvable pieces. Apparently, old stone artifacts still wash up on the beach to this day. An educational lesson and a great scavenger hunt idea for the young ones!
Looking back towards Riverton’s Balancing Rock and the back beach.
After passing the big ol boulder, you have two options: keep left and go back up the hill OR head right and follow the coast. Technically, if you go right you’re leaving the loop track and will need to come back to the big rock later on. Truthfully, the first time I did this walk I missed the left turn back up the hill. I’m glad I did though because I really enjoyed the beach views along the way and it only added 10-15 minutes to the overall walk. There’s a flat dirt path leading through the grass and a few muddy puddles to jump over. Easy peasy!
Keep walking this way to reach Howell’s Point, a popular bird watching location.
For the rule followers who don’t want to stray from the trail, keep to the left! Head up the grassy hill towards the shrubs and trees. A few pole markers will guide you. Foot traffic has stamped down a pretty clear path through the grass too.
This is where all of the elevation gain happens. It’s a consistent uphill climb to the top of Howell’s Hill, where you’re rewarded with another panoramic view of the coast! Climb over the fence and continue following the dirt path. Which is now surrounded by dense vegetation and shrubs as you near the forest.
You’ll get a sneak peek view over Riverton through the farm fencing before reentering the forest. Once you hit the trees again, you’re at most 10 minutes from the carpark. The trail flattens back out and is heavily shaded over by the thick vegetation. The ferns and trees in this section are absolutely stunning, and they’re filled with chirpy native birds too. Remember, the parking lot will be in the middle of a wide open clearing on your right. Don’t miss it otherwise you’ll be going around the loop again!
These tall hairy looking trees are known as Katote, Smith’s Tree Fern and Soft Tree Ferns.
Know Before You Go:
Sections of this track cross private farmland and may be closed for lambing in September and October.
We had cell service on the entire walk and in the picnic area / trailhead.
Leashed dogs are allowed on walks in Mores Reserve.
Half of the trail has no shade, bring sunscreen.
How to Get to Mores Scenic Reserve
From Invercargill (40min)
Head North on State Highway 6 for about 5 minutes before going left at the roundabout towards State Highway 99 / Riverton. Follow the highway for 31 km.
From Riverton (5min)
500 meters after crossing the bridge in Riverton, turn left onto Shrewsbury Street. This goes left and turns into Church St. Take the 3rd right onto Richard Street and take the unsealed gravel road for 1.7km. The Mores Reserve parking area is paved and loops around in a circle.
Other Trails Near Riverton
Mores Scenic Reserve is the starting point for two other short trails: Kings Track and the Hilltop Trail. Both take 20 minutes tops. Here’s a few other walks in the Riverton area worth checking out:
Howell’s Point Walk:
2.7km | 40m | 35minColac Bay Walk:
1.8km | 15m | 20minRound Hill / Long Hilly Track:
2.7km | 80m | 45minMonkey Island Beach: Walk to the top of Monkey Island (10min return) or towards Gemstone Beach (1hr each way).
Where to Stay in Riverton
Disclaimer: Please adventure at your own risk. The author of this article is not liable for any injuries or damage that may occur. It is up to the individual to determine their own capabilities and limits, and to thoroughly research before venturing into the great outdoors. Read our full Disclaimer.
