Beginning at the state line with Tennessee, NC 197 enters the Pisgah National Forest and winds south down the Unaka escarpment to Poplar.

South of Poplar, NC 197 begins the first of three segments where it follows the North Toe River and the former Clinchfield Railroad.

This segment comes after a railroad crossing and a new concrete arch bridge that carries the highway across the Toe River into Yancey County.

After leaving the river area, NC 197 continues through mountains and grassy knolls until it arrives at U.S. Route 19E (US 19E) just east of Burnsville.

From Pensacola, NC 197 turns right and proceeds over Cane River Gap into Buncombe County after passing through Murchison.