pa 897 splits from pa 23 by turning northwest onto weaverland valley road, heading through agricultural areas with a few scattered homes. the road curves north as it passes to the east of a quarry and crosses the conestoga river. the route continues through farmland with some residential and commercial development and turns east and then north to enter the borough of terre hill. here, pa 897 becomes south earl street and passes homes, turning west onto east main street. the route continues through residential areas of the borough and curves northwest, becoming west main street at the center avenue intersection. the road passes more homes and a few businesses and turns north onto broad street before it leaves terre hill for east earl township again. pa 897 winds north through farmland with some woods and homes and crosses muddy creek into brecknock township. the route becomes dry tavern road and passes through the residential community of fivepointville before it runs through agricultural areas with some trees and homes. the road heads into wooded areas with some homes and comes to a bridge over the pennsylvania turnpike (i-76). pa 897 runs northwest through more farms and woods with some development before it turns north and comes to a bridge over the us 222 freeway. the route curves northwest and crosses little muddy creek into east cocalico township, where it becomes swartzville road and runs through a mix of farmland and residential subdivisions before reaching an intersection with pa 272 in the community of swartzville. past this intersection, the road heads north through a mix of farm fields, woods, and homes, turning to the northwest. pa 897 continues through rural land and crosses into west cocalico township. the route passes through the residential community of reinholds on main street, where it crosses an east penn railroad line at-grade. the road becomes unnamed and winds northwest through a mix of farmland, woodland, and residential development, heading through the community of blainsport. pa 897 continues west through agricultural areas with a few homes, passing through the community of cocalico and crossing cocalico creek before running through the northern corner of clay township.