History
Back in the early 2000’s, longtime member Jack Breaks worked tirelessly to create a database of trails in BC, which was available through the BCHBC website. In approximately 2012 the decision was made to transfer the records to Horse Council BC (HCBC), offering a more secure website at the time.
HCBC worked on the database, integrating the zone mapping and improving the product, followed by maintaining the improved and robust trail database. Fast forward to 2018 when Central Vancouver Island Chapter created the first geo-referenced map of the Spruston trails on Vancouver Island. BCHBC presented this to Horse Council BC and they agreed that providing geo-referenced maps to users was a great addition to the online database.
HCBC Trail Database
Today’s HCBC Trails Database provides maps and GPS tracks for trails mapped and uploaded by equine users, making it easier to plan your next backcountry adventure. These geo-referenced maps can be downloaded to your phone where they can be accessed by GPS applications.
HCBC has partnered with FO Maps (FaenaOffline GIS), to replace Avenza (who has indicated that they will no longer be publishing new maps). All of the HCBC geo-referenced maps have been transferred to FO Maps and can be downloaded, by the app, while the user is online.
FO Maps has a basic free version, but the reasonably priced Explorer version was created especially for HCBC and has the added benefit of including an OpenStreetMap overlay a 5×5 km area around the select HCBC map, showing trails that may be out of bounds of the original downloaded map.
For a basic guide on getting started and downloading the app see the instructions provided by HCBC. Download the app from either your Apple or Google app store.
Contributing to the Trails Database
- If you are visiting a trail (or site) currently in the database, check if there is new information that you can add to the HCBC data entry for that trail (or site).
- If you are travelling a trail that is not currently in the database map the trail during your ride with either a GPS unit or utilizing the FO Maps mapping program. Remember to take photos if you can and collect other pertinent data.