How To Install Stepping Stones On A Hill . Use a shovel or trowel to dig a shallow, 2 inches (5.1 cm) deep hole in the soil. Set the stone into it, design side up, then gently pat the soil around it to blend it in with the surrounding area. Image result for pictures of steep stairways down to ocean dock from www.pinterest.com Place the stones into position gently, leaving varying distances between the joints. The depth from the front to back should correspond to the stone blocks' lengths. The sand will help you position the stones.