Side trails are an outstanding feature of this part of the AppalachianTrail. In conjunction with the AT, a wide variety of loop hikes can be made,both one-day and several-day hikes. Hikers comptemplating loop hikes are urged to acquire the US Forest Service map entitled "Southern Nantahala Wilderness Area and Standing Indian Basin", which covers the AT from Wallace Gap south into Georgia and most of the side trails described below. Many of these trails are maintained cooperatively by the USFS and the Nantahala Hiking Club.
1. Wesser Creek Trail: This blue-blazed former route of the AT makes a good loop hike using the AT to return to the starting point.
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2. Rocky Knob Side-Trail: This short (about 0.1m.) blue-blazed side trail leads from the AT - 1.7m S. of Tellico Gap, and 3.1m N of Burningtown Gap - to a nice lookout over the Little Tennessee Valley.
3. Bartram Trail: The Bartram Trail, when complete, will be continuous from South Carolina to Cheoah Bald. Described here is the section between Franklin, N.C., and Nantahala Lake. Bartram Trail Blazes are yellow.
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4. John Wasilik Memorial Poplar Trail: This 0.7 mile blue-blazed trail starts at the Rock Gap trailhead, which is on USFS 67 approximately 0.6 mile from Wallace Gap on "Old 64." USFS 67 is the entrance road to Standing Indian Campground. The trail leads downhill from the trailhead to a remarkable tree, the second-largest poplar in the East. The 1.4 mile round trip is well worth the effort to see a tree that is reminiscent of the Sequoia.
5. Long Branch Trail: Blue-blazed, 2.0 miles. One of many connecting trails between the Standing Indian Campground area and the AT. The trailhead is across the road from the Backcountry Information Center (a bulletin board) on USFS 67 near the campground. It ends on the AT at Glassmine Gap, after climbing through hardwood forest on the south of slope of Long Branch Creek. It intersects an orange-blazed horse trail and crosses the creek near the upper end.
6. Bear Pen Trail: Blue-blazed, 2.5 miles. This charming connector trail starts on USFS 67, three miles south of Backcountry Information Center (a bulletin board and parking). The lower 0.4 mile follows a grassed logging road. Watch for easy-to-miss turn-off road into woods. The rest of the Trail traverses several different kinds of woodland while climbing to meet the AT at the southern end of Albert Mountain.
7. Betty Creek Trail: Blue-blazed, 0.2 mile. This short connector trail leaves USFS 67 at 6.3 milessouth of the Backcountry Information Center, crosses a stream, and tunnels through a rhododendron thicket to the AT at Betty Creek Gap.
8. Timber Ridge Trail: Blue-blazed, 2.3 miles. This trail starts at the Timber Ridge-Big Laurel Falls parking area on USFS 67, 4.4 miles south of the Backcountry Information Center. It passes through a charming variety of different woodlands while climbing to meet the AT. After Crossing a log bridge over a large brook, trail turns left and climbs through rhododendron, then enters a beech woods area. About halfway, it crosses Big Laurel Branch on a wood foot-bridge, then climbs through mixed woodlands to Timber Ridge, where it proceeds through open, fern-carpeted woods to the AT, 0.4 mile south of Carter Gap.
9. Beech Gap Trail: Blue-blazed,2.8 miles. Trail starts at Beech Gap parking area on USFS 67, four miles south of Backcountry Information Center. At 0.5 mile, Big Indian Horse Trail (orange blazed) approaches from the right. At 2.0 miles, reach Big Indian Road (also horse trail, orange blazes) and turn left. Reach AT at Beech Gap.
10. Lower Ridge Trail: Blue-blazed,4.2 miles. This trail is the most direct (but a strenuous) way to reach Standing Indian Mountain from the Standing Indian Campground. It originates at the Backcountry Information Center, crosses the Nantahala River on the main campground road, skirts the campground area, then climbs rather steeply up Lower Trail Ridge directly to the mountain. It crosses the AT near the top of the mountain and continues 0.1 mile to end at the summit clearing.
11. Kimsey Creek Trail: Blue-blazed, 3.7 miles. This popular trail follows the course of Kimsey Creek from the campground to Deep Gap. It begins at the Backcountry Information Center, crosses the river on the campground road, then turns right and skirts the campground on the north side. At 0.3 mile, it turns left and leaves the trails that follow the river. At 0.9 mile, it enters a clearing, where it turns right along a gated road following the creek. At 2.1 miles, it crosses a log bridge over a side creek. The trail enters Deep Gap through the old picnic and camping area. Standing Indian Mountain can be reached by turning left on the AT.
12. Chunky Gal Trail: Blue-blazed, 5.5 miles. This little-used trail (scenic when leaves are off)follows the ridge of Chunky Gal Mountain. Trailhead is on US 64 in Glade Gap,at the top of the long climb out of Shooting Creek Valley. The beginning is marked with small signs and blazes but is not easy to locate. The trail ends at the AT 3.0 miles south of Deep Gap.