It passes through portions of Habersham and Rabun counties and the Chattahoochee National Forest.

Scenic Georgia Highway 197 was used by moonshiners during Prohibition in the United States.

Then, the highway begins its climb into higher mountains and enters Rabun County.

As the highway climbs to its northern terminus, an intersection with US 76/SR 2 in the middle of the Chattahoochee National Forest north of the park, the road becomes very twisty.

It heads north-northeast for about 300 feet (91 m) and meets its northern terminus, an intersection with SR 17/SR 197 (Washington Street).