Yes paths are a big quesrtion and personally I like compost as the final cover, once perennial weeds are dead. A load of council compost would be cheaper than paving slabs and adds goodness to soil to. Couch and other weeds are easy to see and remove. Its the least sluggy option too.
Here I have used some wood shavings in some paths for reducing winter slipperiness, they were free from the neighbour’s manure heap, but some are ending up on beds, kicked by blackbirds and recently a badger, so they can be messy depending on your wildlife, bed shape etc. I hope it all works well for you.