The highway travels through the town of Dutton and continues through more rural areas, reaching an intersection with SR 40 west of Henagar.

Past this intersection, SR 71 begins its ascent into the foothills of Lookout Mountain, passing more farmland and woodland with occasional homes.

From there, the roadway has numerous curves as it travels through Flat Rock, where it crosses SR 117.

SR 71 continues winding northeast through more rural areas as it reaches the community of Higdon.

A short distance past Higdon, the highway intersects the southern terminus of SR 73 and makes a turn to the east.