Complicated environmental problems especially water scarcity in dry and semidry areas have been increased. This phenomena has increased unsustainability. Hence, reaching to a community with sustainable development requires recognition of vulnerability in water scarcity conditions and framing the application of adaptation pathway. Regarding to dependence of rural livelihood to the agriculture, it is of great importance to understand rural vulnerability. The aim of this research is to assess Isfahan rural vulnerability in water scarcity with emphasis on exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity and framing the application of their adaptation pathway. Required data were collected by using interview, semi structured questionnaire, structured questionnaire and documentary research. Sampling size was calculated with Cochran’s formula of 266 households. Required information were collected via multistage stratified cluster sampling and structured questionnaire. Framing the application of adaptation pathway of Isfahan’s rural people was determined by observation and interview with informed people of villages. Results show that the most exposure to all traumatic factors are in Jolgeh and Bonroud regions. On the other hand, most exposure to water scarcity factor are in Bonroud, Jolgeh and Markazi regions. Moreover, all regions have the same sensitivity in low level and adaptive capacity in medium level. Results show that vulnerability in Bonroud region is medium and for other regions are low. Vulnerability can’t be investigated only by the amount and intensity of shocks (exposure). Sensitivity, adaptive capacity and resilience are important too. In adaptation pathway it become clear that if Zayanderoud river become dry, intensification of poverty is so probable. Also, beside supplementary strategies, seasonal stream can reduce relative poverty. Keywords : vulnerability, exposure, sensitivity, adaptive capacity, adaptation pathway, water scarcity, Isfahan, Zayandeh-Roud