I use straw for our paths, you can put a few inches down in a layer, it stops the weeds, and when its wet in the winter time you don't get all muddy, and then at the end of the season you then take up the straw and put it on your compost, then add new straw on the path. It depends if you can get hold of straw easily, but its a great system that utilises space and produces something for the ground.