15 Eye-pleasing Pea Gravel Walkways with Stepping Stones to Add Charm to Your Landscape

Sure, there are several types of gravel when it comes to landscaping. Yet, pea gravel couldn’t get any better.

These rounded stones in pea-size crunch underneath your foot, and the sound is as satisfying as a crispy cereal.

Pea grave is good for covering paths, driveways, and walkways. Filling spaces between stepping stones with pea gravel is a versatile and inexpensive way to add charm to your landscape.

What about stepping stones?

Is it necessary to set stepping stones upon your pea gravel walkway?

Stepping stones deliver a practical route for foot traffic from the driveway or the sidewalk to the door.

There are many types of stepping stones. When you pick one, make you already have considered your home’s architecture.

Matching the texture or the color of the stepping stones will create a professional look. Yet, you still can be creative to lay the stepping stones in your landscape.

If you want to get more inspiration, here are fifteen eye-pleasing designs of pea gravel walkways with stepping stones that you can use to enhance the look of your landscape:

1. Mexican Beach Pebbles Pea Gravel Walkway with Random Arrangement Stepping Stones

The large yard here features a dark-colored pea gravel walkway that is paired with stepping stones.

The pea-sized stones are basically Mexican beach pebbles, which is the most common choice when it comes to pea gravel. Its dark color makes it easy to pair it with anything.

In this case, the homeowners pair the black pea gravel with white stepping stones. Those stones are precast concrete pavers laid on top of the gravel, creating a simple yet stylish contrast of black and white.

The stepping stones are put randomly in various sizes too. This way, the walkway looks and feels more casual. What an ideal design for a Mediterranean yard.

2. Tan Colored Pea Gravel Walkway with Long Concrete Slab Stepping Stones

This pea gravel walkway has a lighter color than the previous one. The light tan-colored pea gravel gives a modern look to this contemporary landscape.

This small backyard features a concrete paver, a small bench, and a planter box.

The pea gravel here is poured between the stepping stones.

Basically, those are not really “stepping” stones because it has a long rectangular design and it has narrow space to each other. Yet, they do lead the homeowners from the far end of the backyard right to the back door. Those are the main use of the steppers.

If you are wondering, to get these long concrete slab steppers, form the concrete mason with 2x4s wood board. Later, pour and finish the concrete.

3. Trendy Landscaping with Pea Gravel Walkway and Stepping Stones in Different Heights

This is another look of a modern landscaping in a small and narrow yard. It seems that the pea gravel used for the walkway here is also Mexican beach pebbles, judging by the color.

The homeowners don’t want to create a bold contrast here. So, instead of picking white-colored stepping stones, they used natural gray-colored stones.

These stones are made of basalt columns, and they were cut to different heights. This way, the landscape looks more unique and stylish.

Be careful during the rain, though, because its smooth surface may be slippery. It may be a bit risky to walk on the “high” stones on rainy days.

4. Contemporary Landscape with Pea Gravel Walkway and Blue Stone Planks Stepping Stones

This is a courtyard that also functions as an outdoor room, driveway turn-around, parking space, and an entryway.

Thus, it takes stones that can bear the weight of the vehicles while at the same time letting rainwater permeate the ground to avoid a run-off. That’s a tricky option.

Yet, they finally combine pea gravel walkway and bluestone steppers. Those are New York bluestone planks that were put randomly, right next to each other without space. They were cut in different sizes, too, to create a more randomized look.

The pea stone used here was a native stone, locally sourced from Boston Park in Waltham.

The homeowners and the designer didn’t ask for a specific color, anything they had at that time. It turns out that the light gray colored pea gravel is perfect for this courtyard.

5. Grey Colored Pea Gravel Walkway Paired with Random Sized Stepping Stones

This is another inspiration for contemporary landscaping with gravel and concrete.

Basically, placing concrete stepping stones upon the sea of pea gravel is a common thing. That’s why you need to be creative to make sure your landscaping is unique, different from the others.

In order to create a unique look here, the homeowners and the designer used randomized concrete stepping stones that were cut in freestyle and placed randomly in one straight line to make sure that they could lead the people there to the main door.

When it comes to the walkway, it could be pea gravel used here with a grayer hue. For an alternative, you can check the pictures of Lodi, Lin Creek, or Pami Pebbles.

6. Light Colored Pea Gravel Walkway Combined with Cut Edges Bluestone Stepping Stones

What a timeless patio. This was actually a courtyard, and the designer remodeled it, and now it becomes a courtyard patio. It features pea gravel and bluestone steppers that were cut in different shapes, either square-shaped or rectangular.

The pea gravel walkway here is actually cobbles from cold water canyon flat flagstone with I-3/4”-2” thick and irregular size. Those gravels can be purchased from Lyngso Garden Supply.

The bluestone stepping stones are the natural top with full range and cut edges. They have a similar thickness to the gravels, and they were cut to size per plan. Those ones are also available at Lyngso Garden Supply.

Instead of being placed in one straight line, the stepping stones fills almost the entire space of this courtyard. The pea gravel here is not used as a background to the stones but as a filler between each space of the stones.

7. Pea Gravel Walkway with Randomized Concrete Paver Stepping Stones

What a lovely garden here! Instead of planting those plants on the ground, the homeowners used a planter box. This way, their backyard looks neat and fresh.

The planter boxes were installed in the far end of the backyard. In order to reach that, the designer created a pea gravel area completed with stepping stones.

This mid-sized backyard has a modern style, thanks to its gravel landscaping. The gravel walkway is paired with concrete paver stepping stones. The stone slabs were put randomly but side by side with each other, with tiny spaces between them.

If you are wondering how these stones could stay in place, the pavers were poured in place, and their weight secured them in place. The pea gravel was put in after the stones had perfectly set.

8. Eclectic Landscape with Pea Gravel Walkway and Flagstone Stepping Stones Set Upon

This is a picture of an eclectic patio in a front yard.

Basically, the homeowners used a very standard formula of gravel landscaping here, pea gravel walkway, and stepping stones. Yet, instead of concrete, the homeowners used flagstone as the steppers.

The gray color of flagstone basically creates a similar look to concrete steppers.

In order to give a unique look to this common combination, the bright blue curved back chairs were added. Thus, this is not a usual walkway. It is a patio.

The stepping stones lead the homeowners or the guests from the outer perimeter of the property right to the stone path.

The pea gravel walkway is poured in a perfectly circular shape, and it is bordered with what seems to be concrete cut in a small rectangular shape. The flagstone steppers are also put in a curvy line to accommodate the circular walkway.

If you are wondering, the designer didn’t use sand under the flagstone steps. Those stepping stones are set perfectly within the gravel, so it doesn’t take any stone dust or sand to secure them in place.

9. Modern Landscape with Artificial Grass, Pea Gravel Walkway, and Polished Concrete Stepping Stones

This is an ideal example of small modern backyard landscaping. It features a seating space for an outdoor dine-in, pea gravel walkway, stepping stones, and artificial grass.

The artificial grass takes most of this space, while the gravel walkway connects the two concrete pavers from the main property to the outdoor seating space.

There are stepping stones, too, that were cut in the same size and put neatly above the pea gravel to lead the homeowners to the outdoor dine-in area.

The stepping stones here are approximately 15” x 24” with a 2.4-3” gap between each other. Those stones were poured in placed and sized precisely to fit five of them evenly along the walkway.

According to the designer, there was no additional pigment added to the concrete. It seems that those are added with a glaze coating to give them a naturally richer color.

The surface is smooth but not slick. Yet, they might be a bit slippery when wet if you walk on their bare feet. This would not be a recommended treatment near a pool.

And the pea gravel, it seems that those are Mexican river pebbles. Those are quite similar to Mexican beach pebbles but with a lighter color and slightly bigger size.

10. Pea Gravel Front Walkway with Concrete Stepping Stones in Circular Lines

This is another example of a pea gravel walkway designed in circular lines.

This is a front walkway that connects the driveway to the front door. The pea gravel has a metal border running in its sides to secure the pebbles in place, not slip to the garden area around.

The pea gravel walkway is completed with succulents to create a more unique look. The succulents are also useful to accentuate the basic combination of gravel walkway and concrete stepping stones.

The concrete stepping stones are also equipped with channels cut to let rainwater permeate the ground. Those concrete steps were also cut not in a perfect square shape. Instead, they were made to accommodate the circular lines of the walkway.

11. Transitional Landscaping with Black Pea Gravel Walkway and Mixed Shapes of Stepping Stones

The combination of black and white strikes again!

This is transitional landscaping that features a black-colored pea gravel walkway and grayish-white stepping stones.

This gravel walkway is installed side by side to the driveway leading to the garage. The walkway and the steps, on the other hand, lead to the entrance door.

What makes it unique and stylish is the fact that the stepping stones have mixed shapes of rectangular and square. The rectangular slab stones were put vertically. After several vertical steps, there are square-shaped stepping stones placed horizontally.

The vertical stepping stones are used to navigate the homeowners from the outer side of the house to the main door, while the horizontal stepping stones connect the walkway to the driveway.

This way, every area in this landscape is perfectly interconnected.

12. Traditional Landscape with Pea Gravel Walkway and Pennsylvania Bluestone Stepping Stones

This is a traditional landscape featuring a pea gravel walkway and checkered-style stepping stones.

The walkway in front of the entrance is wide, while it gets narrower once it reaches the far end of the backyard.

The gravel walkway is edged with metal to make sure it stays in its place.

The stepping stones here are Pennsylvania Bluestone placed in checkered style in square shapes. These are 24”x24”. To keep the steps in their place, metal edging is also used here.

Basically, there are only three stepping stones that can be stepped upon if the homeowners want to reach the small white door.

The other steps are used to accentuate the garden plants planted in the gravel between. The water feature is also placed on top of one of the stepping stones.

13. Asian Landscaping with Pea Gravel Walkway and Natural Stones for Stepping

If you want to create a more unique look for your backyard, it is recommended to create an Asian landscape like this. This one has a pea gravel walkway completed with the grass and the garden on both sides.

The light tan-colored pea gravel looks natural combined with the stepping stones here.

The stepping stones seem to be natural stones with a polished surface. This way, it would be safer to walk upon these stones on rainy days. The natural textures of the stones will prevent you from slipping.

The natural stepping stones were placed in a circular line to accommodate the homeowners if they wanted to reach the far end of this garden.

There is no metal edging to separate the walkway and the garden. This way, some of the pebbles may go to the other side.

14. Light Brown Pea Gravel Walkway Around the Concrete Pads of Stepping Stones

This pea gravel walkway is basically part of the backyard, but it stands separately.

The walkway is located at the side of the retained garden, so it is clear that the grass is prohibited from stepping upon. To reach the main house, people may walk upon the stepping stones on the gravel.

The light brown colored pea gravel here creates a blending look to the retaining wall because, basically, they are in the same color with different shades. There is the metal edging to border the gravel walkway too.

The metal edging here is not only used to keep the gravel in its place, but also to accommodate the upper part of the walkway, because it seems that there are two different surface levels here.

The lower level and the upper level of the walkway are only separated by a tiny metal-edged step. If you are wondering, the pea gravel here is basically crushed limestone gravel.

The concrete pads are used as a stepping step. The pads were placed not in an even line, but they were rather put randomly.

15. Poured in Place Concrete Stepping Stones Set Upon Pea Gravel Walkway

This is an inspiration for a large backyard with a contemporary style and gravel landscaping. It features a fire pit, which turns this area into a cozy patio. There are also planter boxes around.

In the middle of this backyard, the designer installed a pea gravel walkway completed with concrete pads of stepping stones.

The concrete steps here feature a light integral color added to attain this look. This way, they blend more seamlessly with the gravel. The pea grave, on the other hand, is basically crushed rock named “Black and Tan”.

Keep in mind that different stone yards have their own name for this grave even though basically they are a similar item.

The stepping stones were cut in a perfect rectangular shape to fit the large area. It seems that the designer placed them rather evenly, even though here and there, there seems to be a larger slab placed on the gravel.

These stepping stones are useful to connect the other side of the yard to this patio.

They have smaller space than the usual stepping stones, which means that these concrete slabs are not mainly used as stepping stones but also as an accent to the entire gravel landscape.

Tips for Choosing Stepping Stones

From the pictures above, you have seen many types of stepping stones that can be paired with a pea gravel walkway. However, before purchasing, here are some basic guides to choose stepping stones:

• Choose a stone with a textured surface, so it won’t get slippery when wet. This is important, especially if you install the stones near a pool.
• Avoid using stepping stones in a very dark color. They can be too hot for you to step upon during the summertime.
• When it comes to the shape, if you want to attain a natural feel, use organic-shaped, round stepping stones, like organic-shaped bluestone or sandstone flagging. If you want a formal and more structured look, pick rectangle or square-shaped stepping stones. Ideally, stepping stones are roughly 16” X 32” or 20” X 20”.
• Before installing the stones, stride out their placement first. It is because if the stepping stones are put too close together, you’ll end up shuffling along the walkway. Approximately, the person’s strides are 18”. Mark the location on your pea gravel with spray paint.
• Stepping stones are usually set on a lawn. So, avoid using porous materials, like sandstone. Instead, always go for hard-wearing materials, like travertine, granite, bluestone, or concrete.