Need creative ideas on merging two walkways into one

I would remove both of the steps at the landing. Remove the railing on the landing Take one set of steps and mount it on the front of the landing facing the pier. Close off both sides of the landing where the steps were with railings.

Can't see in your photo how much area is available in front of the space between the two steps.... but I would create a semi-circle with some form of gravel/pavement/pavers etc. to lead down to the pier walkway.

I’m afraid I can’t see the problem. You should be able to lay pea size stone from each staircase around to the pier walkway. If the posts at the top of the walk interfere, just remove the two or four posts and make the center walkway the width you want. You have a beautiful place. Reminds me of some of the river plantations in Mississippi and Louisiana. ☺️

Your walkways need to follow the symmetry of your house, so whatever you do, both sides need to be identical. A raised boardwalk - like your dock - would be cool

What a gorgeous setting. I'd start at the top, widen the stairway so that it starts at the support posts instead of having that short bit of rail on each side of those posts. Then I'd build a pyramidal style or semi-circular stairway. Or I'd do that from the landing. That would open up the front and would allow access to the sides of the yard as well. You could also widen the stairs from the dock at the top. That way you would have an inverted Y shape heading down to the dock and a Y shape heading into the yard from the dock. Walkways can be good and wide--wider than most are, since IMHO, most walkways are too narrow. With a house this close to the river, wider walkways give guests lots of room!

Beautiful home and setting!

I think it would be beautiful and useful if you remove the two stair sections that split in opposite directions.

Where those stairs used to split, it looks like there's a small landing.

I would widen that landing (a little wider than the width as your pier would be a nicer visual transition), then build steps down from there that wrap that landing on all three sides. Kind of like a three sided tiered stage.

I think it important that the "platform" be wider than your pier though, because you need a gradual transition from your beautiful wide house, to medium width platform, to final pier size. A platform that's the same width of your pier, would give a too long and narrow "walk the plank" look from the house to the water.

This would still give you the ability to walk down and head in any direction, yet makes the stairway and transition to the pier a little grander.

I think brown/beige/grey pavers from the base of the steps set in a semi-circle joining and forming a walk way down to the stairs (almost a heart shape). Then you can plant some flowering shrubs between the walks in front of the deck. If that much paving isn't in the budget you could build a board walk in a symetrical pattern.

I SEE A BEAUTIFUL CIRCLE STONE FIRE PIT WITH ADIRONDACK CHAIRS OVER LOOKING THE WATER WITH AREA TO WALK AROUND CONTINUING THE WALK OUT TO THE DECK ON THE WATER WITH FLOWERS ECT. OR YOU COULD DO A OPEN ROUND/OCTAGON PERGOLA WITH A FIRE PIT IN THE CENTER

I understand! I that case. I would pour either a circular or oval concrete pad the two stairs would empty on. From there a walkway that leads to the pier. Some nice low maintenance bushes or plantings around the pad and walkway.

Create a walking path of your choosing from each set of stairs to join together @ the dock. (Creating a trianglur shape with the point at the Dock). Then create a focal point in the middle that can be centrally seen from the deck and dock. I would suggest a nice fountain. Then plant a variety of garden plants around the fountain, and out to all three sides...This could be enjoyed from all angles and appear that the stairs were built the way they are for this purpose. It's beautiful property, no matter what you do, and my opinion is that this type of addition would further compliment it.

You could even use pavers for a circular or oval patio at the bottom of the stairs tying them together with a walkway to the pier.

I would Open up the railing at the top of the deck / belcony widen the steps. Then when you get almost to the bottom stager the lengths of the boards so they fan out.

I think this would look beautiful, of course you would be able to fan the stairs out larger, because the space you have.

I personally would pour a large stamped concrete pad that encompasses both ends. Use the very middle as a back drop/wall for patio furniture, bbq etc. If you want to keeps costs down then paver both to meet like a big heart.

You could mirror the shape of your staircases onto the ground. I think it would compliment your house.