A pitch in time
Surfacing paths with stone is visually attractive, with minimal maintenance and long-term durability making it ideal for remote routes. Stone flagging and stone pitching are traditional techniques popular in areas with solid geology, where the stone is gathered locally. Although stone can be expensive to transport, particularly to remote locations, its durability, aesthetic quality and reduced maintenance costs, are worth it in the long run.
Routes may need to be closed for several months while we do the work.
Stone flagging
Uses large flat stones on shallow gradients, often to float over peaty or boggy ground.
Stone pitching
This involves placing large stones, with their flattest side up, to create small irregular steps to blend into the landscape. We use this technique for steeper gradients, above 1:4 (25%). The ideal path incorporates curves and natural rocky features to help it blend with the landscape. Once laid, any small gaps are filled with soil. This soil, and that either side of the route, is fertilised and seeded, to promote a natural appearance.
Materials
- Locally sourced surface stone. Stone can only be taken from boulder fields or scree slopes if these features are not of ecological or geological importance.
- Anchor Stones - at least 600 mm deep
- Pitching Stones - at least 300 mm deep.
Cross section of a pitched path
Stone pitching diagram>
Construction
- Excavate to the required depth. The finished surfacing should be below the depth of the surrounding ground or vegetation. The excavated depth should accommodate the stones but finish the path at or below this level.
- Do not excavate more than can be completed in one day. Two people can complete a 10 metre long section of a 1 metre wide route in one day.
- Start on the downhill end of a section and work up the hill.
- Dig in the Anchor Stone so that it is flush with the lower surface. The Anchor Stone should be dug in as deep as possible.
- Dig in the Pitching Stones, leaving the flattest surface upwards and at no more than 5 degrees from the horizontal. The rise between stones should be not more than 200 mm.
- Butt adjoining stones against each other, wedging them in place using smaller stones in the gaps. Use larger stones at the path edges to prevent lateral movement.
- Compact excavate soil into gaps and crevices. Fertilise and reseed when appropriate.
Costs
- Pitching stones are usually available in the area.
- Transportation of stone and machinery to site by helicopter to remote areas costs £600 to £750 per hour. Depending on the length of the flight, a helicopter can usually transport 20 to 25 tonnes per hour, lifting a maximum weight of 1 tonne per trip.
Maintenance
- Regular inspection
- Fertilising and reseeding any vegetation as necessary
- Reinstating any loose stones if required