steppingstones

Stepping stones are flat elements placed at intervals to create a navigable path across a ground surface, water feature, or garden bed. They can be formed from natural stone such as flagstone or slate, or manufactured materials including concrete pavers, brick, ceramic tile, or resin composites. The stones are typically set on a stabilized bed, with a sub-base of crushed rock or sand, and are topped with soil, mortar, or grout; spacing is chosen for foot traffic and safety, commonly a short stride apart. Surfaces may be textured for grip and to shed water.

Applications include garden paths, courtyards over lawns, and ponds or streams where a larger footbridge is impractical. In landscaping, stepping stones create visual interest and define routes while allowing vegetation to grow between them.

Beyond decoration, stepping-stones can serve ecological purposes by connecting isolated habitat patches, enabling organisms to move across urban or agricultural landscapes, sometimes called habitat stepping stones.

Metaphorically, the term is used to describe intermediate stages that help progress toward a larger goal, such as education, career, or skills development. A job or course that provides experience and knowledge needed for advancement may be termed a stepping-stone position or course.

Construction and maintenance considerations include ensuring level installation, proper drainage, slip resistance, load-bearing capacity, and regular cleaning to prevent moss or algae buildup.