How to lay a gravel path

Laying a gravel path in your garden can transform the space aesthetically and enhance its usability. UK garden centres, and specialists stone suppliers, offer a range of surface material, popular ones being pea gravel or crushed stone. However, when choosing the best gravel for your footpaths, select surface material that complements your asthetic, but also offers durability and a comfortable walking surface. If you’re wondering how to lay a gravel path, there are some aspects you should consider at the start. For example, it’s important to determine how deep your gravel path needs to be to ensure stability and proper drainage. There are also additional materials you’ll need to purchase, such as hardcore for the sub-base, and a heavy duty membrane suitable for gravel. 

By selecting the correct materials, and following good practice, you can create a long-lasting and visually pleasing path that should last for decades. We’ve put together the key steps, so that you know how to lay a gravel path in a straightforward and stress-free way:

Step 1: Plan the path
Step 2: Order materials
Step 3: Dig the path trench
Step 4: Install the edging
Step 5: Roll out the weed membrane
Step 6: Add the sub-base
Step 7: Spread the decorative gravel

Preparing to lay a gravel path

Before starting, carefully consider the path’s location, the soil type, and the necessary materials and tools. Ensure the path allows good access to your garden and avoids underground utilities. Check the area you intend to place the path with a CAT scanner prior to digging, to ensure that you avoid cables and pipes.

Identify an area, possibly a driveway, where the materials needed can be deliverd and stored prior to use. Keep in mind, the final cost of materials will be determined by the path's length, width, and depth.

What is the best gravel for footpaths?

Different types of gravel have various advantages. Mid-sized gravel, 10-20 mm in diameter, is ideal for footpaths. Gravel that is angular is better than smoother gravel as it won’t be as easily displaced underfoot, making it more comfortable and easier to walk over. Consider colour too: lighter gravel makes shady areas brighter, while darker gravel hides mud and soil.

What is the best membrane for gravel?

Choosing the best membrane for gravel is also important when preparing to lay your path. Opt for a thick, needle-punched, non-woven geotextile matting. It should be flexible, permeable to allow rainwater through, and dense enough to suppress weeds. Since paths are generally designed with heavy footfall in mind (compared to borders or flower beds), and especially if using angular gravel, a denser, heavy duty membrane is more damage-resistant than a thinner option.

Laying a gravel path

Planning and laying a gravel path need not be a daunting task. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you successfully lay a gravel path.

Step 1: Plan the path

The first step on your path-laying journey is to sketch out the path with measurements. As mentioned earlier, you’ll need to think about the size of your path, so adding measurements for length, width, and depth will help you gauge the quantity of materials required. Don't skip this part, as it will allow you to make the calculations required for ordering materials.

Step 2: Order materials

Of course, you’ll need the gravel. But what else do you need when laying a gravel path?

You will need:
• Heavy-duty membrane for gravel
• Path edging e.g. treated timber
• Sub-base material
• Decorative gravel

WeedSecure Pro heavy duty weed membrane

For large volumes of gravel, an aggregate supplier may be a better option than a garden centre, as the supplier will often offer home delivery. It’s also worth planning and acquiring the tools you may need: a rake, spade, trowel, spirit level, plate compactor or hand tamper, scissors, and string and pegs for planning the route of the path.

Step 3: Dig the path trench

Before digging, mark out your path with string and pegs. Use a spade to dig out the soil to the depth of your edging; for larger areas a mini digger and dumper may be required. If this is the case, measure all access routes for these vehicles and ensure qualified operators are used.

Make sure both the sides of the trench are straight, then rake the ground to even and smooth it out. Compact the soil with a plate compactor.

An important question to consider is, how deep does the gravel path need to be? Generally, paths will need to be 100 mm deep; however if the area of ground tends to get waterlogged, increase this depth to allow for a deeper sub-base layer.

Step 4: Install the edging

Now you’ve dug your trench, install edging to neatly contain the gravel. Treated timber boards are a great option for this, but you may prefer bricks or stone. For timber edging, hammer wooden pegs into the ground at regular intervals of around 1.2 m, then screw the timber boards to the pegs. A spirit level will help to ensure your edging is level.

Step 5: Roll out the weed membrane

When ordering your membrane, allow for between 10% and 20% extra weed membrane for overlaps and wastage, as you will need a material overlap of at least 100 mm. Roll out your weed membrane, aiming to cover as much ground as possible without cutting it. Extend the membrane beyond the path's edging; this excess will be cut later, after the gravel has been laid, allowing for movement as the membrane gets weighed down. Use specialist root barrier adhesive or joining tape to join any material.

Step 6: Add the sub-base

To make the path more sturdy, add 50 mm of sub-base. The best option for this is a MOT Type 1 sub-base, known as quarry process. A hardcore consisting of larger stones and crushed particles, which fill in gaps between stones and reduce potential movement.

Rake the sub-base, making sure it’s smooth, then flatten it with the plate compactor.

Step 7: Spread the decorative gravel

Finally, add your choice of decorative gravel on top of the sub-base. For a sloped or uneven path, go for slate chipping or Cotswold stone, as these will stay in place better. Marble can add a luxurious finish to your path, while Pea gravel is cost-effective, easy to spread, and low maintenance, making it one of the most common types of gravel used for landscaping projects.

You may also choose to lay stepping stones to give your path an extra dimension. Place the stones at desired intervals along the path before adding the gravel. To stabilise the stepping stones further, add mortar before you place the stones.

With or without stepping stones, spread your chosen gravel and rake the surface to level it out. It’s a good idea to leave about 20 to 30 mm to the top of the edging. After spreading the loose material, trim the exposed edges of the weed membrane, and your gravel path is complete!