Ganaraska Forest Trail Map
IMPORTANT: For available trails in the Ganaraska Forest, please refer to the GF Trail Map. Memberships and Day Passes are available for sale at store.ganaraskaconservation.ca and Day Passes are also available from the Gatehouse Kiosk at the Ganaraska Forest Centre.
For more information, please see the revised Ganaraska Forest Rules & Etiquette. The Ganaraska Forest is open from dawn until dusk each day.
Trail Maintenance Volunteer Program info available here.
Explore the multi-use trails of the Ganaraska Forest using the Ganaraska Forest Trail Map. This web-based map is updated, as needed, to reflect trail notices or restrictions throughout the year.
The map can be viewed in a web browser or can be downloaded onto a mobile device, where you can track your location on the downloaded map without needing mobile data. Please follow the instructions at the bottom of the page.
Please Note: Previous paper or PDF maps are no longer valid for use and the GRCA does not recognize the use or displayed trail data of third party mapping applications.
See instructions below on how to use the web mapping application, as well as how to Access, Install and Set-up the mobile app on your own device.
- How to use the Web Mapping App
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Tool Bar:
Along the bottom of the web application in the browser window
Zoom in Button Zoom out Button Home Button Location Button Click and Drag Pan around the map Legend Button Layer List Button Print Button Legend Window
The purpose of this window is to show the symbology used on the map to refer to real world objects.
- 3 dots in the upper right will minimize the Legend Window but keep it open
- X in the upper right will close the Legend Window
- 3 dots in the bottom right will allow the user to resize the windo
Layer List Window
- Clicking on a check mark turns the layer off. Clicking it again turns the layer on.
- Clicking the 3 dots in the upper right minimizes the window
- Clicking the x closes the window
- Clicking the magnifying glass allows the user to search for specific layer
- Clicking the 3 bars with the checkmark allows the user to control all layers at once
- Turn all layers on
- Turn all layers off
- Expand all layers
- Collapse all layers
- Clicking the arrow on the left side of an individual layer expands that layer to show the layer legend.
- Clicking the 3 dots to the right of the layer name allows the user to control different aspects of individual layers.
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You can zoom to the extent of the layer
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Set the transparency of the layer
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Set the visible range of the layer
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Disable or Enable the pop up for the layer
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Move the layer up or down on the layer list. This will move the layer up or down in the drawing order of the map.
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Show Item Details will attempt to display the data details in the Conservation Ontario ArcGIS Online organization. (Public users will see limited information.)
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In the layer list you may see some layers greyed out. This shows that the layer is active but currently not displayed because the layer is zoom dependent. Once the user zooms to the pre-set scale or zoom level the layer will display on the map.
- How to use the Ganaraska Forest Trails Mobile Mapping App. Step 1 Create your ArcGIS Online Account
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Create your ArcGIS Online Account
Using the ArcGIS Field Maps Mobile app requires a free account through ArcGIS Online. The account can be created by visiting ArcGIS Online. The direct link to create a Public Account (Free) can be found here.
Select “Sign In” in the upper right hand corner
On the sign in page, select “Create Account”(Example images shown. May vary between mobile devices)
Use the option to create a public account;
“Create an ArcGIS Public Account”
Fill out the information form, being sure to accept the user agreements.Once the form has been submitted, an activation link will be sent to your email
Using the link sent the email address provided, there will be a prompt to create a username and password to set up your account.
- How to use the Ganaraska Forest Trails Mobile Mapping App. Step 2 Download and install ESRI Field Maps on your device
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From an app store download ArcGIS Field Maps. ESRI products are available to download for iPhone and iOS system, through iTunes or the Google play store. Search for “ArcGIS Field Maps” and download the app.
Once the app has been downloaded to your device, sign into Field maps with your ArcGIS Online username and password.
- How to use the Ganaraska Forest Trails Mobile Mapping App. Step 3 Access the Ganaraska Forest Trail Map through ESRI Field Maps
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Once you are signed in, open the camera setting or a QR scanner on your mobile device and scan the QR code to open the mobile map.
"GFC_Trails_Public – April 2023 Public Map" QR Code Following the prompts, select to open the field map.
The field map will then open in the mobile app. You will be prompted to allow access to your device’s location. Providing location access will allow for you to follow your approximate location within the trails, while connected to GPS services.
To return to the main menu use the back arrow in the upper left hand corner.
In the main menu, the “GFC_Trails_Public – April 2023 Public Map” can be added to a favourites menu, so that the map will be easily available for viewing once you return to the use the app at a later time.
By selecting the menu (the 3 dots beside the map), a menu will open and “Favorite” can be selected.This will pin the map in your profile, so that it is accessible for future use.
Downloading the Map for Offline Use
The field maps mobile app can be accessed both with cellular connection, or by downloading areas of interest ahead of visiting the forest while internet connection is available so that the maps can be accessed once your mobile devices is offline.
From the main menu, and selecting the map menu, you can select “Add offline area”
The map will open and by focusing the map on a particular area, you can select “Download Area”. This will create a map version that has been downloaded to your phone for use offline. Once this area is created, the map will function in the same manner to allow viewing of the trails and other map data.
***Please note that downloading a map area will create a file on your mobile device, so please be aware that some space will be used. For that reason, it is recommended to download smaller areas as opposed to the full forest map.
- How to use the Ganaraska Forest Trails Mobile Mapping App. Step 4 How to use ESRI Field Maps with the Ganaraska Forest Trail Map
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Map Functionality
Navigation in the mobile field map is done using the touch screen of your mobile device. Using one finger you can move the map to different locations. To zoom in on a feature, use 2 fingers and create a pinching motion. To zoom out, use a swipe motion with 2 fingers moving apart.
Features in the Map
The menu can be accessed by tapping on the 3 dots in the upper right hand corner.
The menu provides options for viewing the legend, changing the basemap, setting bookmarks etc. The legend displays the layers that are currently active in the map. The basemap can be changed from the default aerial photo to other selected options. Bookmarks can be added to your map for future use as well as using a “Markup” and measuring features.
On the main toolbar the layer list can be accessed. This opens the table of the layers currently available in the map. Layers can be turned on or off by using the check mark beside the layer name. In the layer list you may see some layers greyed out. This shows that the layer is active but currently not displayed because the layer is zoom dependent. Once the user zooms to the pre-set scale or zoom level the layer will display on the map.
Features within the map, such as the trails layer, can be selected. This will open up a popup at the bottom of the map and will provide the details associated with that selected feature.