How to Put Steps in a Backyard Hillside

Installing steps in a hillside is a great way to start a rustic trail.

If you plan to install a walking path in your backyard and you want to make it easier for people to traverse the rough terrain of a hillside, carve a set of steps into the hillside. Not only does this make it safer for people, it adds a permanent decorative touch that maintains a rustic feel of a natural walkway. Installing a set of natural steps is not a difficult process but it is laborious and will likely take a few days to complete, depending on the size of the hillside.

Things You'll Need

• Marking paint
• Stakes
• String
• Line level
• Tape measure
• Flagstone
• Square riser blocks
• Shovel
• Level
• Hose water

Instructions

1. Paint an outline of the steps with marking paint on the hillside. The width of the steps depends on your design. However, check local building codes to determine any minimum code requirements concerning the width of the steps.

2. Place a stake at each end of the painted lines and then tie strings between the lines. Place a line level on the string to ensure the string stays completely level. This means the string will be close to the ground at the top of the hillside and further away from the ground at the bottom of the hillside.

3. Measure the distance between the ground at the bottom of the hillside and the string, and divide that by 6 inches if the hillside has a shallow slope or by 8 inches if the hillside has a steeper slope. This gives you the total number of risers for your steps. As an example, assuming the rise of the slope is 36 inches and you divide by 6, you will need six risers.

4. Subtract one from your total number of risers to determine how many stair treads you will need for your steps. Measure the length of one painted line up the hillside and then divide the total length by the adjusted number of stair treads you need. This determines the depth of each stair tread. For example, assuming a total length of 150 inches with five stair treads, each tread is 30 inches from the front edge of the stair tread to the front of the next stair riser.

5. Purchase flagstone or other flat stones that measure uniform thickness and meet the necessary length and depth for your stair treads. Keep the stones around 2 to 3 inches in thickness. Purchase 6-to-8-inch-square blocks of stone that meet the necessary width for your steps. If you divided your step height by 6, you need 6-inch blocks for the risers. If you divided your step height by 8, you need 8-inch blocks.

6. Place the first riser block at the bottom of the hillside between the strings, Cut into the soil around the block to create an outline and then place the block off to the side.

7. Remove the dirt inside the cut lines to a depth of 2 inches with a shovel. Use a level to ensure the ground where you dug is level and then place the block into the hole.

8. Place the stair tread on top of the riser block. Position the tread so the front edge sticks over the riser block approximately 1 inch to create a lip and then cut around the stair tread where it overlaps the ground with the shovel. Place the stair tread off to the side.

9. Remove the dirt from inside the cut area so the dirt remains level and flush with the riser block. Use the level to ensure the ground you cut remains level with the riser block. Place the stair tread onto the riser block.

10. Install each additional step in the same manner as you installed the first. As a note, if the riser block or stair tread you plan to use are not uniform thicknesses, you must dig the hole for the riser blocks deeper or shallower so the distance between each stair tread remains the same. This will ensure the steps are safe and anyone walking on them will be less likely to trip.

11. Cut 16-inch squares of sod along the length of the steps on each side. Remove soil from under the sod with a shovel so the ground slopes down to the steps and blends in. Place the sod back and water it.

References

• Family Handyman; How to Build a Garden Path; March 2002