Walkway/path suggestions?

[snal]

I've cut a terrace/path across my front bank, and I'm trying to decide what to use as a base for the path. I'd love to use brick pavers, but this would blow my budget, and really wouldn't "fit" since I'm trying to keep a rustic look.
I'll be using rocks that I've collected from my property to stablize the bank on the upper side, so I'm considering some sort of gravel base for the path, but I am open to alternatives. It'd be interesting to hear any suggestions.
Hopefully there are pics listed below.

 

[Jagmandave]

Pea gravel? Maybe a layer of mulch over the top lightly?

 

[snal]

Yeah...that'd work. I do plan to mulch the bank above and somewhat below the path. Figured I'd lay down some fabric on the path, possibly some sort of edging, then some sort of gravel or other material.

 

[mikim]

pea gravel won't pack well however ... I'd use what is called "granite gravel" around here. it's smaller than pea and packs really well. I used it for an underlayment for some flat stone I used for a walk at the house in town. I put it down, spread it out, then before I could stomp it - it rained and the darn stuff packed itself. hate it when that happens..... but it convinced me it's what I'll use in the country for walkways.

 

[PineRidge]

We used pea gravel under our deck. I can tell you from 1st hand experience that you don't want to walk on the stuff. It's like marbles when you put your weight on it.

 

[RickS]

From the pictures you appear to have a lot of elevation. Unless you plan on putting in some sort of drainage system you will have a lot of erosion. Perhaps some sort of wood walkway, even rustic uncut logs or trees.

My dad used to build roads on lots of hills and he always sloped the road slightly to the downhill side to ecourage the water to sheet off instead of becoming a small river and really eroding the road base.

Good luck. I love projects like this. Please keep us posted with pictures.

 

[Nat]

I have a gravel drive and road top the shop and shed. I made a place to run a circle around some cedar trees beside the shop and I put mulch down to cover the mud. I drive the tractor and golfcart on it constantly and all I have had to do is spray it with round-up a couple times a year. If it wears to thin, 5 yards of mulch cost me 15.00. Maybe it would work for you. HTH, later, Nat

 

[snal]

Rick, I don't get very much erosion on this bank, least not in 6 years. I do plan to put various plants above and below the path, and I have sloped the path back towards the upper side, and it also has a slight crown to it along the length of the path. The pics make it look steeper than it actually is, and the path has been groomed quite a bit since those pics were taken.
We've had a few downpours since those pics, and the only place that I've seen any erosion is where my downspout drain lines empty on the upper bank, those lines will bo routed to an 18" culvert down below.

 

[RickS]

Cool, snal. Sounds like you've got it going in the right direction. Keep the updated pictures coming.

 

[browns40]

Hi snal,

wood chips or pine straw would be pretty rustic & cheap... especially if you produce your own... just would need to add more as they thin out on you