The Rustic Call of Boulder Steps

HOW-TO Install Boulder Steps

No matter their style or appearance, your eye cannot help but follow the steps up or down. I planted Dappled Willow on one side. 

 "Nature first, second, and third -- architecture after awhile."

—Calvert Vaux

Stone steps in a garden really do steal the show. They are the ‘architecture’ in a landscape and provide the drama of a change in elevation. They act as a focal point and compel you to follow their lead.

You can take any sloped garden and make it more accessible with a few stone steps.  Stone is a natural choice for landscape steps—it is durable, weather proof, extremely long-lasting and adds a timeless appearance. And there is a wealth of design options and material choices for stone steps in a landscape.  Let’s look at some of the possibilities open to you when considering rustic stone steps for your garden. In all cases, the result is the same: steps add magic to a landscape.

The Rustic Call of Boulder Steps

A slope can be transformed into a showstopper by the addition of  a few boulder steps and a variety of plants. Large, flat natural rocks, placed atop each other are a great way to create steps, add interest and provide a little bit of adventure to those nimble enough to climb them.

The run of these boulder steps passes through a shady area but opens up in the daylight at the top, with the top step. The light draws people upward.

These are not the kind of steps you use as an entry to a house or in any area where there is a lot of traffic because you must watch carefully where you step. In addition, they are not safe to use in wet, snowy or icy conditions.

Rough stone steps are suited for non-important, secondary passageways—in remote areas, up a rocky hill or in a wooded slope.

Process for Installing Boulder Steps

Use boulder steps where their rough appearance fits with the rest of the landscape. They are a rustic hillside solution for little-used areas or where they may serve as a view from a house or porch. Below is the process for installing boulder steps.