The Stairways of the Bisbee 1000 – The Great Stair Climb
Bisbee 1000 – Each Stairway Step by Step
Once a year, in the small mining town turned artsy village of Bisbee, Arizona, more than a thousand people gather for one of the country’s most unique fitness events. They come from all over to run, walk or crawl their way up the historic steps that traverse this mountain town. The Bisbee 1000 – The Great Stair Climb is in it’s 30th year, and is the largest annual event held in Bisbee.
The Bisbee 1000 route covers approximately 4.5 miles that include nine stairways, and winds through the downtown and up into the hills above. Running along narrow streets and alleys, spectators get a glimpse of charming gardens and quaint little houses as well murals, street art, and colorful mosaics built into the walls. Local musicians perform along the route, and the town’s residents line the course, cheering and providing support. The course is like a beautiful life-size game of chutes and ladders, only with stairs and roadways instead.
There are literally dozens of stairways in the hills of Bisbee, but the nine official Bisbee 1000 stairways are all painted and numbered, by local artist Judy Perry.
The Bisbee 1000 starts at the Iron Man statue, between St. Patrick’s Church and the Bisbee Court house, both beautiful works of architecture. New for 2021, the event ends at Higgins Hill Park. Each of the nine stairways is unique, and comprise a total of 1032 stairs.
Stairway 1 – 73 stairs
Taking off from the Iron Man Statue, the course heads into downtown along Tombstone Canyon and onto Main Street.
Castle Rock, shops, galleries and restaurants line the way. After passing Grassy Park and the Bisbee Mining Museum on the left, the route turns onto Brewery Avenue, also known as Brewery Gulch, or the Entertainment District.
The course passes colorful bars, including St. Elmos, the longest continually run bar in Arizona, and the world’s smallest bar, the Room 4 Bar in the Silver King Hotel.
Just past the popular and ever-changing Bisbee Graffiti Wall and in front of City Park is the start to Stairway 1.
Stairway 2 – 98 stairs
At the top Stairway 1, the route turns right and winds down around City Park and back onto Brewery Avenue for a short bit. To get to the (new for 2021) Stairway 2, the route turns left onto Walsh Avenue, to the stairway on the right.
Stairway 3 – 181 stairs
Perhaps the most photographed stairway, Stairway 3 has more steps than any other, at 181, and is located in the heart of downtown Bisbee.
From the top of Stairway 2, the course turns left and heads down Opera Drive back towards downtown. After passing the Central School the route winds onto Subway Street and back out to Main Street. The 181 stairs of Stairway 3 climb and turn between homes and gardens.
Stairway 4 – 78 stairs
Stairway 3 leads to the top of Maxfield Avenue, and close to the top of Castle Rock. Maxfield Avenue, a narrow brick road lined with flowering bushes, is reminiscent of visiting a small European village.
The route leads past the old Bisbee High School, another interesting work of architecture, and onto lower Clawson Avenue.
Stairway 4 is on the left, aside a well maintained tiered garden. It’s 78 steps wind and turn up to Tembly Avenue.
Stairway 5 – 151 stairs
The combination of Stairways 4 and 5 could be considered the most challenging part of the course.
The top of Stairway 4 ends just across Tembly Avenue from the start of Stairway 5, the second longest stairway on the route with 151 stairs.
Climbing Stairway 5 leads to one of the highest sections on the course. This area offers amazing views of the town below, and the old mining pit.
Turning left on to High Road, the course winds downhill, back onto Clawson, and past the Iron Man statue where the event started. But it doesn’t stop here…
Stairway 6 – 136 stairs
After passing the Iron Man statue and heading back up Tombstone Canyon past High Desert Market and Thuy’s, the course goes past the Circle K and on to Garden Avenue.
This stretch offers more views of charming homes and the Bisbee Canal. The canal is home to an assortment of berry bushes, flowering plants and trees.
Just past the end of Garden Avenue, on the right side of Mayer Avenue, is the start of Stairway 6. Stairway 6 is 136 stairs, and winds up on the top of Laundry Hill.
Stairway 7 – 96 stairs
Stairway 6 to Stairway 7 is the longest stretch of the course without stairs. The route winds mostly downhill, along Adams Avenue to a sharp hairpin turn onto Moon Canyon.
At the bottom of Moon Canyon, the course turns left, back onto Tombstone Canyon, past the Fire Station.
This residential area of Bisbee showcases houses from the early 1900’s with more stairways tucked into the hillside here and there.
Stairway 7 turns right off of Tombstone Canyon onto Perley Avenue. The home on the corner of Tombstone and Perley has a colorful mural of the Bisbee 1000 depicting runners making the turn to Stairway 7.
Stairway 8 – 127 stairs
Stairway 7 heads up to Roberts Avenue, where the course turns left, then intersects with Quarry Canyon Road. Leading past the front of St. Patricks Church and back past the Iron Man Statue for a third time, the course again heads down Tombstone Canyon, past Castle Rock and to The Royale Theatre.
Just before The Royale Theatre, on the right side, is a stairway tucked into the hillside. The 127 stairs of Stairway 8 head up to Cross Avenue. By this time, the finish line should be within earshot!
Stairway 9 – 98 stairs
After turning right onto Cross Avenue, there is a short downhill to Ledge Avenue which leads to the final stairway on the course. The 98 stair Stairway 9 is tucked between two walls and emerges at Higgins Hill Park.
A quick turn onto Quality Hill Road and the finish line is in sight. The Bisbee 1000 finishes at Higgins Hill Park, a local park with fitness courts, pickle ball and the community swimming pool.
Although the Bisbee 1000 The Great Stair Climb is held annually the third weekend of October, the stairs are open to the public 365 days a year.
The Bisbee 1000 is presented by Bisbee Vogue, Inc., and a portion of the proceeds from the event are invested back into the community. The event is held in the morning, and for the past ten years, The Annual Bisbee 1000 Craft Beer Festival is held in the afternoon.
Helpful links:
Bisbee 1000 The Great Stair Climb
Bisbee 1000 Craft Beer Festival
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