 NY 397 begins at an intersection with NY 146 (Western Avenue) and Maple Avenue (which connects to County Route 253) in the village of Altamont.NY 397 proceeds east along Western Avenue through downtown Altamont, a two-lane residential street that turns north at a junction with the Schoharie Plank Road.Retaining the Western Avenue name, NY 397 passes west of Bozenkill Park and crosses into the town of Guilderland.