The first day may come as a sharp shock for those who are not yet used to walking - it's just about the longest walk of the route). You have the ascent between the Eildon Hills (climbing one of them is recommended) as an appropriate warm up, before walking along by the Tweed. A visit to Dryburgh Abbey is a possibility. Soon after the pretty village of Maxton you join the Roman Road at Dere Street, which takes you near to the Harestanes Visitor Centre, where a cup of tea may be in order. Due to limited accommodation in the area it may be worthwhile to walk the extension (off route) into Jedburgh.