Northeast Gardening: What is your favorite surface for a path?, 1 by ngam

ngam wrote:
I have a path that runs through the garden from the front to the back yard. It is just dirt now. I have also used dark mulch to contrast with the brown mulch in the beds. The plus side of the dirt is it is easy to get rid of any weeds that pop up here and there. The down side is that weeds pop up here and there and it is not that attractive with just dirt. What are you favorite surfaces for paths and why? How much work involved and are you pleased with the look and maintenance?