How to Install Granite Hillside Steps

In a perfect world, every homeowner’s yard would be flat and ideal for hosting. But when a homeowner realized his yard wasn’t so ideal, thanks to the steeply sloped path from his driveway to his fire pit, he knew he needed help. Mason Mark McCullough offered a perfect solution: granite steps on the hillside.

How to Install Granite Hillside Steps

1. Start by choosing the best possible area for the steps. Ideally, you’ll choose an area with a lower slope where the steps can be spread out rather than stacked on top of each other. This allows for more comfortable walking and eliminates the need to install a railing.
2. Measure the granite slab’s width and depth. Transfer these marks to the soil with marking paint to indicate where to shovel.
3. Start digging out the soil inside the marking paint. Dig to a depth of about 12 inches to leave plenty of room for the stone needed for drainage and stability.
4. Use a hand tamper to flatten the soil inside the hole. The goal is to ensure the base of the hole is as firm as possible before adding stone and the step.
5. Dump a wheelbarrow of crushed stone into the hole, then spread it evenly with the shovels. Once in place, pack it down with the tamper again, creating a firm, stable base.
6. With a lifting partner, install the granite step on top of the stone. Make sure to lift with your legs, not your back. Use the level to ensure that it pitches slightly down and away from the path and adjust as necessary.
7. Repeat the process for the remaining steps.
8. Backfill around the steps with stone to lock them in place and provide drainage.
9. With all the steps locked in place, stretch landscape fabric between each step and secure it in place with landscape spikes.
10. Pour gravel on top of the landscape fabric and spread it out with the shovels. This should create a visually appealing, safe path to the fire pit, or wherever your gravel path leads.

Materials

• Marking paint
• Crushed stone
• Granite steps (Can be found at a local stone yard)
• String line
• Landscape fabric
• Landscape fabric spikes
• Gravel

Tools

Resources

Mark uses granite as steps on the side of the yard. (Can be found at a local stone yard)

Mark uses a dolly to carry stones down the hillside.

Mark uses a wheelbarrow to carry various materials such as granite, dirt, and tools. You can also rent them at Home Depot.