The Tail Cairn is several feet high and comprises a circular cairn of flat narrow stones, conical at the top. It has been erected on the top of a mound of earth that is raised above the surrounding heather. Viewed from the south east you are facing up the Rigg towards the Moorland Road.

At the side of the Cairn are a number of flat stones that appear to be associated with the Cairn, but not connected, the purpose of which is unclear. Looking at the Cairn from the north west, the Wintergill Plantation can be seen climbing the western side of Glaisdale.

From the Glaisdale Rigg Tall Cairn you can look across the Rigg to Glaisdale Head. The road is at Caper Hill with the 401m and 405m twin summit heads of Glaisdale Moor beyond. Glaisdale Beck issues from the springs above Glaisdale Head to the east of the twin summits. The altocumulous mackerel sky indicates an approaching weather change.