The mountain's upper reaches are located in the alpine zone, an area where only dwarf vegetation exists due to the harsh climate.

[4] On the western side, its lower slopes lie inside Franconia Notch State Park.

The Bridle Path trail follows a western spur ridge of Lafayette from Lafayette Place Campground on Interstate 93 past Greenleaf Hut and joins the Greenleaf Trail, reaching the summit 1.1 miles (1.8 km) after the hut.

The mountain is named to honor General Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, a French military hero who fought with and significantly aided the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

Loved and adopted as an aide by George Washington during the conflict,[5] Lafayette made a triumphal tour re-visiting New Hampshire and all the other then states in 1824-1825[6] celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill.