State Route 197 passes through Habersham and Rabun Counties and its route takes it into the Chattahoochee National Forest. The highway starts south of Clarkesville and soon becomes very scenic. The route follows the Soque River before reaching the historic Batesville community. An interesting feature on the road is a small ford, where, during wetter times of the year, water crosses over the road before it joins the Soque River.

In Batesville, SR 197 is joined by SR 255 and then begins its climb into higher mountains. Sites along the route, include Moccasin Creek State Park, the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery, and Lake Burton. As the highway climbs to its terminus with US 76 in the middle of the Chattahoochee National Forest North of the park, the road becomes very twisty.