Collection: Stepping stone

A stepping stone is a slab specially designed to create a decorative path
in gardens and outdoor spaces. Often made of natural stone, slate or porcelain stoneware, this product is highly appreciated for its natural look and robustness. It allows you to cross a lawn or a gravel area without damaging the grass or soiling your shoes. The shape can be rectangular, oval, round or irregular, and the layout adapts to all styles of landscaping. Stepping stones are available in stock in several sizes and thicknesses, suited for garden, terrace or access path use. Their simple and quick installation, with or without sand, guarantees an attractive and lasting result.

For optimal comfort, the distance between two stepping stones in a garden should be between 60 and 70 cm, i.e. the average length of an adult stride. This spacing allows natural walking that is also safe, while giving a beautiful visual effect to the path.

Depending on the nature of the ground and the chosen products (stone, slate, sandstone or ceramic), the installation may require a sand bed or gravel, or even a light mortar fixing. Holding the slabs in place is crucial to prevent any slipping, especially in wet areas or areas exposed to water.

Laying stepping stones in a garden is an operation accessible to everyone with a little method and advice:

• Soil preparation: clear the area and level it. In case of unstable ground, add a bed of sand or compacted gravel.
• Slab layout: keep a regular spacing (60-70 cm) for a comfortable path.
• Laying the slabs: place the stepping stones on the prepared ground. For better stability, you can seal them in place with a little mortar, especially for large slabs in natural stone or slate.
• Finishing: fill the gaps between the slabs with sand, gravel or let the lawn grow in for a natural effect.

The choice of material is fundamental to ensure the durability, safety and aesthetic appearance of stepping stones. Here are the main options:

• Natural stone: ideal for an authentic style, frost-resistant and weatherproof. Travertine, Belgian Blue Stone, limestone fall into this category.
• Slate: natural stone with a dark or black effect, perfect for modern or rustic gardens. Offers excellent value for money.
• Porcelain stoneware: stone-effect or wood-effect, very resistant, lightweight, and easy to maintain. Perfect for those who want a natural look without maintenance constraints.
• Reconstituted stone: Not available at Minéral.

All these products are available in different sizes and thicknesses, often in stock at Minéral, with fast delivery options.

You can easily order your stepping stones in slate, natural stone or sandstone from our network of Minéral branches. Our large stocks guarantee a wide choice and immediate availability. Feel free to contact the branch nearest to you for personalised advice and to discover our current promotional offers.

Our experts will guide you on the best sizes, finishes and materials for your garden landscaping project and your budget.

The most common formats for a garden stepping stone are:

• Rectangular: 60x40 cm, 61x30 cm, or 100x50 cm, easy to align for regular paths.
• Square: 50x50 cm or 60x60 cm, for a more contemporary style or zen.
• Irregular shapes or oval (opus incertum) for a natural look that is also original.

The choice will depend on the style you want: modern, rustic, zen, or natural. The natural look is often enhanced by aged finishes, bush-hammered or flamed finishes, which also provide a strong non-slip effect.

The price of a stepping stone depends on the material, the size and the thickness. Here is an indicative range:

• Galician slate: from 15.90 € / piece
• Bluestone: approximately 19.90 € / piece
• Black Slate schist: 35.90 € / piece
• Sinai Pearl limestone: 66.25 € / m²

These prices vary depending on current promotions, the quantity ordered and delivery. In general, buying by the m² is more economical, especially for rectangular slabs or square ones sold as a lot.

The stepping stones are sturdy elements, but regular maintenance extends their beauty:

• Clean with a stiff brush, a jet of water and mild soap.
• Avoid acidic products that can damage natural stone.
• Apply a water-repellent treatment (available in Minéral stores) to protect against stains and moisture.
• Replenish the sand or gravel around the slabs to prevent sinking or shifting.

The garden stepping stone can be used to create:

• An attractive path crossing the lawn or turf.
• An access to the terrace or the pool, in harmony with the overall style.
• A decorative area around a water feature or a flower bed.
• A winding path with spaced slabs, mixing sand, gravel, and plantings.

Combining it with complementary borders, pavers or paving helps harmonize outdoor spaces. At Minéral, you will find a wide range of products to compose your project.

When you select your stepping stones, several factors must be taken into account. The dimensions and shape of your stepping stones should be suited to the style and size of your garden. In addition, the materials, characteristics and decorative aspects depend entirely on your preferences and on the style you wish to give your outdoor landscaping.

Some quarries offer stepping stone products with a thickness of 3 to 4 cm, in a round or oval shape, making them easier to sell. However, this option limits the choice and, in some cases, creates an overly uniform effect, giving an artificial-looking result.

At Minéral, you can choose from slabs in stock in 60x60 cm or 60x40 cm, with a thickness of 3 cm. You benefit from a wide choice of products sold by the square metre, which proves economical compared with sale by the piece.

If you prefer irregular stepping stones, you can opt for opus incertum, an irregularly shaped slab. Unlike slabs specifically designed as stepping stones, you can buy 1 to 3 square metres of opus incertum and vary the elements at the time of installation. The advantage is that you have a much wider choice of colour and texture (although, in 1 square metre, you must take the smallest slabs without being able to choose them individually). The price per square metre varies between €30 and €50, for a quantity of 6 to 10 slabs per square metre.

Some opus incertum products are also available in giant opus, with larger and heavier slabs. These slabs offer remarkable comfort and stability, while creating an incomparable natural effect, for example the slabs in quartzite Adriatico.