Can shale be used effectively for a garden path?

I want to install a shale path in my front yard. I live in the Sierra Foothills in California. A friend is excavating to build a structure and came upon what we think is shale NOT SLATE. I love it's natural look so when she offered it to us for free I decided to design the front path with it. But I am concerned it won't be structurally strong enough to handle the very littel foot traffic it will ge weekly, and will therofre deteriorite too quickly. Can you advise. Thanks

Can shale be used effectively for a garden path?
It will be fine for foot traffic. It does, however, make for a lousey driveway. The weight of cars can destroy it.
Reply:First to determain the strength just get a sample of the stone and walk on it ten or twenty times to determain Then, go to www.DiscountHomeGardenDecor.com/ to find path stones and garden decor to make it look right
Reply:Well, depth of the pices is critical, thin slab, no they won't handle foot traffic over time. Even the thicker slabs will break apart with each winter. My concern is shale is awfully slippery when wet. is is just sedimentary mud.