pa 897 begins at an intersection with us 30 in the community of gap in salisbury township, lancaster county, heading north on two-lane undivided white horse road. the route passes through the pennsylvania dutch country of eastern lancaster county, which is home to many amish farms. the road heads northwest into agricultural areas with a few homes and turns to the northeast. the route continues through rural areas and make a brief turn northwest before continuing northeast. pa 897 makes another turn northwest, crossing pequea creek and heading through more farmland before it comes to an intersection with pa 340 in the community of white horse, where it turns west to form a concurrency with that route along old philadelphia pike. the road passes through farmland with some homes. pa 897 splits from pa 340 by heading north along springville road, running through more agricultural areas. the route curves northwest and reaches the community of springville, where it turns northeast before heading north. the road runs through farmland before it briefly turns east and then heads north into forested areas with some homes. pa 897 heads north over forested welsh mountain and crosses into east earl township. the road passes through residential development in the community of cedar lane before it comes to a junction with us 322. at this point, pa 897 turns west to briefly follow us 322 along 28th division highway before it splits to the north and resumes along springville road. the route runs past the shady maple smorgasbord and the shady maple farm market before it reaches an intersection with pa 23 (main street) to the east of blue ball. pa 897 turns west to form a concurrency with pa 23 on main street, running between farmland to the north and development to the south.