Stepping stones create a practical and decorative pathway across a gravel garden, lawn, or driveway. While laying them directly on gravel seems fast and easy, over time they loosen and shift out of place. Properly installing stepping stones on a gravel base requires a bit more effort upfront, but results in a durable, polished look that lasts.
Follow these key steps to learn how to set stepping stones into a gravel bed for a stable, long-lasting walkway
Step 1: Plan the Layout
First, dry lay the stepping stones in your desired pattern to visualize how they will look. Space them about one stride or 12-18 inches apart so they are comfortable to walk across. Play around with mixing shapes and sizes for visual interest.
Mark the outline of each stone with landscape paint or chalk. Carefully lift and set aside the stones.
Step 2: Clear the Installation Area
Using a shovel, remove all gravel from the marked areas where your stepping stones will be placed. Dig down 2-4 inches. The soil underneath needs to be compacted to prevent sinking, so tamp it down with a hand tamper.
Step 3: Add and Level the Mortar Base
For a mortar base combine 1 part cement to 5 parts sharp sand or builders sand. A ready mix of cement and sand in a bag works too.
Shovel and spread enough mortar to fill the cleared area for your first stepping stone. Use a trowel to smooth and level it out.
Step 4: Set the First Stepping Stone
Carefully lift and place your first stepping stone onto the fresh mortar base. Center it within the marked outline.
Use a rubber mallet to gently tap the surface of the stone, working from the center outward. This beds the stone into the mortar evenly so it sits level and firmly in place.
Step 5: Point Mortar Against the Sides
Once settled, build up the mortar slightly along the edges of the stone. This mortar lip will help lock the stone in place.
Only bring the mortar about 3/4 up the side of the stone to form a modest buttress. Any higher and it may show once the gravel is replaced.
Step 6: Set String Lines Between Stones
After installing the first stone, set the second in the same manner. While the mortar is still wet, run a taut string line between the two installed stones.
Fasten it using sturdy line pins, like landscaping spikes. This string line will serve as your guide for laying the remaining stones in a straight pathway.
Step 7: Install the Remaining Stepping Stones
Follow the same process to install each subsequent stone. Mortar, position, anchor with light tapping, and point the edges. Use the string line as a guide to keep the pathway straight.
Let the mortar fully cure 24-48 hours before replacing the gravel into the surrounding areas. Otherwise, wet mortar may stick to the gravel.
Tips for Success
- For soft, sandy, or muddy soil, use a deeper mortar base, 4-6 inches thick.
- Sweep sand between stones for a finished look once mortar has cured.
- Wider gaps between stones will require more mortar pointing to prevent tilting.
- Irregularly shaped stones may take more adjusting to sit level in the mortar bed.
- Work in 5-foot sections, completing one section fully before moving to the next.
With proper preparation and by following these simple installation steps, you can achieve a polished stepping stone pathway on gravel. The project takes muscle work more than skill, so even homeowners with minimal DIY experience can create a professional-looking walkway. Maintain the mortar pointed edges to prevent stones from shifting and reset any that become loose over time. Then relax and enjoy your new handmade garden path!
Step 2 – Clear the Surface
Once you’re happy with the measurements and pattern, it’s time to clean up the area where you want to put the stepping stones by removing the gravel. It’s important to pack down the area so that your paving has a stable base and the ground doesn’t sink. To firm it down, use a metal tamper, a piece of wood, or other tools.
Step 7 – Finishing Touches
After you have appropriately laid all the gravel stepping stones, it’s time to remove the string lines and place the gravel around the slabs. Be careful while doing this, as stepping stones need 24 to 48 hours to dry completely. So, laying stepping stones is not as hard as laying sandstone steps and other paving stones. You just have to follow these simple steps.
By following these seven simple steps, you can make a lovely path into your garden by putting stepping stones on gravel. Make sure to discuss with the professionals first, as they will guide you properly.
You can learn more about how to lay stepping stones in gravel better by reading these question and answer sections.
How to lay stepping stones on gravel
FAQ
What do you put under stepping stones?
How do I prepare ground for stepping stones?
Can I put stepping stones in gravel?
Do you need cement to lay stepping stones?
Can stepping stones be laid on gravel?
While laying the slabs directly on the gravel is a quick and easy option, the stepping stones will typically become loose and start shifting as time goes on. Alternatively, you can take a few more steps to create a path that’s firmer and more durable. Want to create the perfect stepping-stone path by fixing your paving strongly on a gravel surface?
How do you lay stepping stones?
And as a specialist paving supplier, we’re frequently asked how to lay stepping stones. While laying the slabs directly on the gravel is a quick and easy option, the stepping stones will typically become loose and start shifting as time goes on. Alternatively, you can take a few more steps to create a path that’s firmer and more durable.
Should stepping stones be removed from paving slabs?
Save the gravel to replace around the paving slabs once they have been laid. You can remove all the gravel if you wish. It is sometimes beneficial if you do. But for this job we took the easier option of just removing the gravel where the stepping stones were going to be laid.
How do you add stepping stones to a garden path?
One such idea is to combine stepping stones in gravel, or mix river rocks with concrete stepping stones. Alternatively, you could place red brick stepping stones on top of a grass path. Regardless of which approach you take, a stepping stone and pathway combo can elevate the look of your garden walkway from plain to impressive.
Can paving slabs be used as a stepping stone?
There are many shapes and sizes of paving slabs you could lay on gravel as a stepping stone. Concrete or stone, circular, square or oblong all make good stepping-stones and the method of laying them in gravel remains the same whatever type you want to use. Sika SikaBond SBR+ Waterproof General Purpose Bonding Agent and Admixture for…
How do you prepare a river rock path with stepping stones?
Applying PVA glue to the back of each slab can improve its grip to the mortar and prevent shifting once dry. To prepare for your river rock path with stepping stones, start by removing the gravel from the area where you’ll be laying the first and last slab. This will help with leveling the remaining slabs.