Building A Garden Path On A Slope

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Having a way to access your garden is essential to making an outdoor space enjoyable. However, if you have hills or slopes on your yard it may be a bit difficult.

Thanks to this great guide at the Homes15 blog, they give you a few easy steps needed to follow to build a garden pathway along a slope.

There’s a few different materials you’ll need in yard landscaping like this. Some are necessary while others are optional, but using stakes, stones, pavers, and some tools like a dolly and heavy-duty scissors well help get the job done properly.

We listed a few steps for DIY garden path so, here’s how to build a walkway on a slope.

Step 1 – Plan The Route


Make plans about the garden walkway. It should include back and forth zigzags like a labyrinth. A straight walkway down a steep slope does not serve as a good and safe idea. This may cause accidents and injuries.

You can still create straight pathways but you need to carefully choose the area. Spray paint or use a string to identify the landmarks you need to avoid and mark the desired ground. Determine the best route by using a string wrapped around the stakes and bury it along the preferred path.

Prepare the route by pulling out the weeds and placing a weed barrier. This will make your work a lot easier and faster.

Step 2 – Level The Path

Level the path bed after planning the walkway. Use a shovel to do this or rent a machine such as a walk behind scooper. Machines do a better job in leveling the path in a short time. Make the ground as flat as possible to ensure the safety of those who will go down the walkway.

Lush garden with stone steps and greenery.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @alandscapearchitect

Slopes may hinder a smooth-sailing work at the walkway. In this case, you’ll need to do it side by side using a shovel. Cut along the edges of the path with the shovel’s blade. Lastly, break up the sod using the shovel as a lever into manageable sections.

Step 3 – Dig Your Slope

Do this with a shovel or a scooper. We recommend marking it from the beginning with strings down to the end for a more efficient digging. Once you dug the slope to the desired depth, make use of the shovel to level the path.

Step 4 – Laying The Walkway Surface

In creating the best surface for a walkway, you can depend on various materials. They include:

  • Concrete step stones or asphalt – creates solid footing but requires yearly maintenance. You can use crushed rocks.
  • Finer gravel – best material for stone pathways.
  • Coarser gravel – less stable than finer gravel and harder for feet.
  • Pebbles
  • Pea gravel
  • Flagstone walkway
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Photo Credit: Instagram @davidbaptistegardendesign

Start with forming a bed of sand for about two inches to ensure stability. Next, lay the gravel gradually and rake to level it occasionally. It should be around two to three inches thick. Install railings on the sides to avoid the gravel path from spilling during rain storms.

Step 5 – Install The Garden Steps

Place the steps in steep or straight areas to make it easier for people to climb or go down the stone pathway. You may also choose steep spots with zigzags. Pour concrete over to create the steps and install railroad ties or use wood for the steps for a natural look.

Cut out the steps with six inches height and six inches depth with your shovel. Using a board, create a wooden frame for each steps or pavers while making sure that the steps appear level. Mix the concrete as per directions on the package and pour into the frames. Wait until it dries out.



Remove the boards once the concrete becomes dry. Prepare the path for the pavers using the railroad ties by using the shovel to make a two-inch trench. The distance you need to reserve between each ties will depend on the slope. The steeper the slope, the closer you should lay the ties.

Step 6 – Installing The Railings

Place the railings in the area or surface where you applied the steps or on a very steep path. For concrete steps, wrought iron or stainless steel would appear more suitable. You can install these by drilling holes into the steps and securing them with bolts.

Wooden tiered garden beds with steps.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @gardenmarketonline

On the other hand, wooden outdoor railing works best for railroad ties. Add the spindles into the place after the concrete sets. Lastly, screw the handrails onto the posts to complete your railing.